Formerly the “Weapons” Policy

For the safety of all con attendees and to follow local laws, the following policy towards props will be strictly enforced. Attendees are expected to read and comply with it completely. Failure to do so will result in the potential loss of convention membership.

Certain exemptions may be granted exceptionally for particular events. Details are to be found in the exemptions section.

Note: This policy applies to any device or contraption that can intimidate, injure or threaten someone. 

Registering Your Prop

Here are instructions regarding what to do if you have props.

1. Attendees are to first retrieve their badge from registration.

2. Attendees would then go to Props Check to have their props identified and approved. For unapproved props, attendees may decide to leave them at Props Check or return home to store them.

3. Attendees will be allowed into convention grounds through the convention entry points, needing to clearly display tags attached to entry controllers.

Leaving your props at Props Check

Otakuthon is not responsible for any damage or loss of props left at Prop Check.

Props may be left at Props Check due to various factors:

• Prop was unapproved by the Props Check staff.

• An approved prop was used dangerously.

• Bought Exhibition Hall props that do not follow our policy.

Note: We strongly suggest storing your prop at a secure location, such as your accomodation, car, secured storage, etc.

So what happens?

Information concerning the prop will be stored in your file.

Attendees will have until Props Check closing time to retrieve their props. Please note that the Props Check and the event closing times may differ.

If props are not retrieved by closing time, props will be moved into a locked room until the next day of the event. If after the end of the convention on Sunday the prop is still not claimed, the prop shall be given to the Palais des congrès de Montréal lost and found.

On Convention Grounds

Behaviour

All attendees are to…

• Pay due respect to the safety and peace of mind of other attendees and Otakuthon staff.

• Cooperate with convention staff when asked.

• If possible have props holstered, sheathed or slung when not engaging in photography.

• Not engage in violent games or horseplay (of any kind, whether participants are consenting parties or not) with props.

Buying props

Some props sold at the Exhibition Hall might not follow our props policy.

Sold props restricted by our policy must be escorted out of Otakuthon’s premises.

General Prop Restrictions

All props must follow all the following General Prop Restrictions and also relevant Detailed Prop Restrictions.

• No prohibited weapons, defined by applicable Canadian Laws;
• No firearms;
• No replica firearm;
• No real projectiles of any kind;
• No glass;
• No metal props, although the use of metal in the construction may be approved on a case-by-case basis;
• No excessively sharp or excessively pointed prop;
• No flying device;
• No smoke devices;
• No explosives.

While there are no weight, size or shape restrictions, Otakuthon reserves the right to review, on a case-by-case basis, all excessively heavy or bulky items.

Otakuthon reserves the right to classify any item deemed dangerous as prohibited at any time.

Detailed Prop Restrictions

Projectiles

• Projectile replicas are allowed.

• Operable projectiles are not allowed.

• A quiver or container to hold projectiles is required.

• The tip of arrows and similar items must be made of soft material, such as foam. Wood or metal is not permitted.

• All projectiles must be made with lightweight material.

Projectile devices (firearms, crossbows, etc.)

• It is not permitted to fire any projectile (liquid, caps, etc.) on the convention’s grounds.

• Bows are allowed if de-strung or made of material that cannot be used to fire a projectile.

• Hand crossbows are not permitted.

• Actual live firearms are not permitted under any circumstance.

• Enabled or disabled airsofts, paintballs, airguns, pellet guns and BB guns are not permitted under any circumstance.

• Imitation firearms must not be made of metal.

Concerning firearm or gun type props, relevant staff will make assessments on a case-by-case basis.

A 6 mm non-detachable orange tip is required at all times on every gun or firearm resembling a contemporary firearm.

The only exceptions are historical firearms or clearly fantasy firearms.

Historical firearms (e.g. spinning wheel, flintlocks or matchlocks)

• Definition: Any firearm manufactured before 1898 that was not designed to discharge rimfire or centrefire cartridges and that was not modified to do so.

• Real historical firearms are prohibited.

• Imitation historical firearms may look like the real thing, but must not be capable of discharging projectiles.

Guns as props

• Any exact or very close resemblance to contemporary firearms is prohibited.

• Nerf blasters, water guns, and similar toy guns are acceptable, as long as you do not carry projectiles or fire them on the convention grounds.

• Guns are permitted as props.

• Guns as accessories must be incapable of projectiles. For example, the barrel may be blocked, or the trigger may be absent.

• The guns will be evaluated on their shape, colour, size, material, etc.

Swords, blades, knives and other melee weapons

• All melee metal weapons, whether blunted or not, are prohibited.

• Blunt or heavy weapons such as baseball bats and hockey sticks are prohibited unless made of lightweight materials.

• Metal chains or other similar items are prohibited.

• Shields or melee weapons (swords, staffs, etc.) made of foam or other lightweight materials are permitted.

• Brass knuckles are prohibited unless made of lightweight materials such as foam.

• Wooden swords should be made of non-sturdy lightweight wood, approved on a case-by-case basis.

Other

• Drones are not permitted on the premises.

• Lasers are not allowed.

Exemptions

Certain restrictions may be lifted.

All exemptions are only valid for the event they were approved for and must swiftly be stored after the event, or escorted out of convention grounds.

All requests must first go through the specific director, who will then communicate with Props Check.

All approvals are on a case-by-case basis.

Event: Masquerade

The Events Department must approve all requests.

Event: World Cosplay Summit (WCS)

The Events Department must approve all requests.

Contact us

For any questions or comments, please contact the Otakuthon Props Check department (weapons@otakuthon.com). While they may offer advice on which props are appropriate, on-site Otakuthon staff reserves the right to reclassify any props regardless of any information given before the convention.

Otakuthon reserves the right to confiscate any props for the duration of the convention or to escort you outside the convention area and forbid you to return with the prop. Aggravated or repeated failure to obey the above policy may result in expulsion from the convention without a refund.