Cosplay Code of Conduct / Weapons Policies

WEAPONS: All costume weapons and props must conform to federal, state and local law. A weapon is considered anything that could accidentally or purposefully cause injury to another attendee.  We ask that you use common sense when bringing any prop weapon to the event.  Avoid bringing hard prop weapons to the event and we encourage the use of light materials such as foam, composite, light woods, and cardboard be used for prop weapons.  All prop weapons must be inspected and Peace Bonded by WEN-CON staff, and must remain Peace Bonded.

Functional firearms are not permitted in the event or on event grounds, this includes actual firearms, BB guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, cap guns, realistic looking firearms that can be confused with actual firearms.  All prop, toy, or fake firearms must be clearly marked with a brightly colored safety cap on the barrel.

Functional projectile weapons are not permitted, including slingshots or other sling devices, crossbows, long and short bows, rubber band guns, etc.  Bows and the like are permitted so long as the string is removed or loosened to the point that it cannot fire a projectile.  Arrows or projectiles are allowed so long as they do not have a sharp tip and/or any sharp tip is removed.

Metal blade weapons that are sharpened are not permitted including swords, daggers, knives, throwing stars, axes, and the like.  Blunt weapons are not permitted including hockey sticks, baseball bats, nunchaku, clubs, brass knuckles, slug devices, etc.  Chemical weapons and explosives including fireworks are not permitted.

COSPLAY: Cosplay is not consent. WEN-CON has a strict no harassment policy in place and this policy will be enforced.

WEN-CON wants attendees to show their enthusiasm with their awesome costumes! We also want to make sure everyone has fun and is safe. If you have any questions about cosplaying rules or events, please contact us.

COSTUMES: WEN-CON is a family friendly event. Please use common sense and be considerate of other attendees, our guests, and exhibitors. WEN-CON cannot be held liable for any damage incurred to your costume and you assume all risks, known or unknown, while engaging in cosplay activities. Weapons must be approved at the Peace Bonding Station.

No costume is not a costume. Paint alone is not a costume. Pasties are not allowed. If your costume is deemed too revealing, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate, you’ll be asked to change or cover up. Please make sure your costume is well constructed and you have appropriate under garments on. Protective footwear is required at all times – this means your footwear must be hard sole and worn for health and safety reasons.

Symbols of hate are NOT welcome at WEN-CON.

No inappropriate signs, no signs offering services or making requests to be hugged or touched. You’re welcome to politely ask for a hug, but do not hug anyone without explicit permission.

PROP WEAPONS:  All costume weapons and props must conform to federal, state and local law.  All prop, toy, or fake firearms must be clearly marked with a brightly colored safety cap on the barrel.  All prop weapons must be Peace Bonded by a WEN-CON staff member.

Metal blade weapons that are sharpened are not permitted.  Blunt weapons are not permitted.  Chemical weapons and explosives including fireworks are not permitted.  Do not brandish weapons or props in a threatening manner.

All prop weapons purchased or won as prizes at the convention must be Peace Bonded by WEN-CON staff if they are to be carried during the convention.

COSTUME WEAPONS POLICY

Peace Bonding Procedure

All costume weapons that the WEN-CON Security Officers determine to appear dangerous, on a case-by-case basis, shall be Peace Bonded before being allowed into the convention center. Peace Bonding tables will be located at the main entrances to the convention. Trained Security Officers will conduct the Peace Bonding process:

1. Peace bonded costume weapons will be recognizable by a bright neon tag attached to a non-intrusive area of the prop weapon. The tag must remain visible at all times.
2. If the weapon is steel, such as a sword, the peace bond process will secure the sword inside the sheath. At no time shall the sword be removed from the sheath while attending the event.
3. If a costume weapon is confiscated it will be tagged with the owners name written on the tag. Confiscated weapons will only be returned to the owner when they are departing the event. WEN-CON, Town Toyota Center and any affiliates are not responsible for any damage to confiscated weapons.

PERMITTED/PROHIBITED COSTUME WEAPONS LIST

Permitted weapons/props:

1. Replicas of firearms provided the prop is easily identifiable as a prop weapon.
2. Prop firearms such as Nerf guns and water guns are permitted, however they must be inoperable and unable to fire any projectile.
3. All fake, prop, or homemade weapons are permitted if they are in no way dangerous to fellow attendees.
4. Sufficiently blunt wooden staves, swords, and bullwhips are permitted. The swords must be secured in a sheath, and bullwhips shall be rolled and secured by the peace bonding process.
5. Costume bows are allowed, as long as they are inoperable and cannot shoot projectiles of any kind. Prop arrows are permitted, as long as they are not sharply tipped, cannot be fired, and are secured within the quiver and cannot be removed.

Prohibited weapons:

1. No firearms are allowed on the premises of the Town Toyota Center.
2. Steel swords that cannot be secured in a sheath.
3. Firearms and guns designed to fire a projectile, i.e., BB guns, pellet guns, paint-ball guns, dart guns, crossbows, and ammunition of any sort, are not permitted into the Town Toyota Center.
4. Flail weapons: Nunchaku are not permitted. Prohibited weapons Includes the following:  An instrument, including a Nunchaku, that consists of two or more sticks, clubs, bars or rods to be used as handles, connected by a rope, cord, wire or chain, in the design of a weapon used in connection with the practice of a system of self-defense.
5. Incendiary weapons, i.e., which spark, shoot flame(s), burn, smolder, or can otherwise cause combustion or which exist for no purpose other than to be lit with a combustion device.
6. Self-defense weapons, i.e., pepper spray, mace, stun-guns, and tasers.
7. Wooden or aluminum baseball bats.
8. Other prohibited items, i.e., skateboards, golf clubs, paddles, and signs that are not integral to the costume.

 These rules are subject to change without notice.

NOW A WORD FROM LEGAL…By purchasing a badge and in consideration for being admitted to WEN-CON, the holder consents to being recorded by audio, visual and/or other means.