Author Topic: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY  (Read 9723 times)

Offline alyssa

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COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« on: June 21, 2012, 07:20:25 PM »
COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
No functional weapons are allowed at Comic-Con
Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as a part of your costume, subject to prior approval by security and compliance with the following:
All costume weapons must be inspected at the Weapons Check Desk in Lobby E.
All costume weapons must conform to state and federal law.
Projectile costume weapons must be rendered inoperable.
Costume swords must be tied to your costume in such a way that they can't be drawn.
After each person's costume weapon has been checked, it will be tagged by security, and you will be given a wristband to wear to designate that your weapons have been checked.
Security will escort you to the security station for inspection if your costume weapon is not tagged.

If you do not want to have your costume weapons inspected or tagged, or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume weapons.
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Offline dogberry

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2012, 12:38:08 AM »
I have a question for past cosplayers who have been through the check-and-tag process at SDCC. What exactly do they mean by "tagged?" Do they put some sticker on it? How large is the tag and will it damage the look of the weapon? I have some props that have been painstakingly spray-painted and am a little worried that they may be permanently damaged by the tags. 

Thank you in advance to anyone responding. :)

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #2 on: Today at 01:23:01 PM »

Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2012, 07:52:26 AM »
I've never tagged a weapon *hides* but you can see a picture of a guy doing it here.

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It's described as 'a bit of sparkling tape'.

FWIW, the reason I've never tagged a weapon is because the weapons for my anime characters don't look like weapons - they look more like toys. For example, one is a yo-yo. But last year for the first time I had a small pistol. It was totally light, although I spray-painted it black. But I wore it in my holster all day underneath my 'cape' and it wasn't really visible 90% of the time. I only took it out for a couple of photo ops, so I was never bothered.

However if your weapon is visible, it will have to be tagged. If you are found without a tag by security, they will escort you to the weapons check booth.

Offline dogberry

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2012, 07:17:06 PM »
Hm, hope that tape is easily removable at the end of the day. You're lucky your props aren't weapon-like or easily concealable! I have a small sword replica hanging off my belt (but it's going to be sheathed all day), a butcher knife (plastic), and my other weapon is that Angel sword that's easily 23" long so I'm guessing it's gonna end up being tagged!

I'm assuming this Weapon Check Desk at Lobby E is near the entrance, right? I'm planning to queue up early to get into Hall H/Ballroom 20 for the panels in my cosplay and hope this won't hold me back once the doors open.

Thank you so much for responding, Transmute!

Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2012, 07:42:16 AM »
As I said, I've never done it, but I believe if you get the weapon tagged on one day then it is valid for following days. So you could still line up for Ballroom 20/Hall H most days.

Offline Brittle

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2012, 01:58:28 PM »
The one rule that does not make much sense to me is: "Costume swords must be tied to your costume in such a way that they can't be drawn."

I have seen people walking around holding swords and taking pictures with their swords out last year. So now we cannot take pictures holding our swords?

Offline ForeverStarGazer

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2012, 07:09:33 AM »
I may know the answer to my own question, but it's always worth asking: I've got a toy whip for my Indiana Jones cosplay, and I've actually tied it together with some tough leather string so it can't be extended or anything. Will it have to be tagged? The thing is practically zip-tied to my belt.

Offline Zero

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2012, 09:18:18 PM »
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I may know the answer to my own question, but it's always worth asking: I've got a toy whip for my Indiana Jones cosplay, and I've actually tied it together with some tough leather string so it can't be extended or anything. Will it have to be tagged? The thing is practically zip-tied to my belt.

All cosplay weapons should be checked and tagged (if it passes the inspection), according to the Weapons Policy:
"All costume weapons must be inspected at the Weapons Check Desk in Lobby E."

CCI staffers and/or security might stop you while you're walking around if they notice that it isn't peacebonded/tagged.

Hope that helps. ^_^d
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Offline dogberry

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2012, 09:37:54 PM »
Now that I've gone through this process I can testify that they are pretty strict on weapon policies this year - that is if you get caught with a weapon.

I had a sheathed sword hanging from my waist, and even though I had it checked they wanted to refuse me entry because the blade was made of a metal type - even though it was always kept inside the plastic scabbard and TOTALLY blunt. There was no way you could cut anyone with it even if you poked them hard with the tip.

The men were like "Yeap as long as your weapon has metal you can't enter. You have to go back to your hotel and come back without it". I then pleaded with them nicely because taking the sword off would leave my costume very bare and I ...may have thrown in a lie about my hotel being 15 miles away and that taking a cab back and forth was expensive etc. :P

In the end, they took pity on me and allowed me in, on the condition that a TON of plastic ties were used to secure the scabbard to the sword so it couldn't be drawn at all.

On other days, my weapons (plastic knife, plastic sword) were tagged and permitted. They did use this neon sticker that ended up taking some of the paint off my handle when I removed them later.

Offline Abunai

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2012, 02:33:23 PM »
Yes, they were quite strict! On the day I was Nausicaa, I was yelled at by a security person before I even got up the stairs outside the convention center! I thought that was a bit much...

The funniest thing was when my husband came as Harry Dresden. He had a long wooden staff (with lights in the top). They made him get it tagged, and I was like 'well it's a good thing they have that tape, gotta make sure walking sticks don't hurt anyone!' But ya know, they say jump we say how high! All in all it was easy and painless.

Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2012, 03:33:23 PM »
Yep, you've got to watch out for those staffs. Even Gandalf has to have his weapon checked...


Offline MegaDoug

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2012, 11:03:05 PM »
"Surely you would not begrudge an old man his walking stick?"
 ;)
"while in my gut the creature writhes and snarls and tells me what I need"

Offline dogberry

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2012, 01:36:39 AM »
Heheh, imagine if the weapons check personnel told him "YOU....SHALL...NOT...PASS!"

Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2012, 09:45:35 AM »
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Heheh, imagine if the weapons check personnel told him "YOU....SHALL...NOT...PASS!"

I'm imagine Gandalf would transform himself into a balrog. ;)

Offline into the blue

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Re: COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2012, 01:35:53 PM »
One does not simply walk into Comic Con.