The Rocket City Anime Con (RCAC) Weapons Policy is a summary of items that are not allowed at the convention

We know rules are no fun, but they keep you and all of our other attendees, crew, and vendors safe. All props brought to the convention MUST be brought to the Prop Check station across from the Registration to make sure it adheres to the following rules. Once verified, we will ask you how you hold your prop, and affix a special (removable) band to your prop where it’s out of sight for photos for maximum convenience.

This is referred to as “peace-bonding”, an old-timey word which here means placing a symbol on your otherwise intimidating prop to signal that your prop is safe and your intentions are (presumably) peaceful.

Don’t forget, not everyone is an anime or pop-culture fan. Please use common sense and caution when walking in public with any props/costumes. When in doubt, put your prop in a case until you’re inside the convention space.

Bladed Weapons (Swords, Knives, Axes)

  • No Metal bladed weapons of any kind (Swords, knives, axes, etc)

Projectile Firing Props

  • You may possess projectile firing weapons if they have been permanently and substantially disabled.

  • Bows, crossbows, etc, must be destrung

    • Airsoft, BB, Nerf, blow, and Paintball guns, etc:
      • Must have a permanent orange tip on the muzzle
      • Must have an orange stripe, at one inch wide, on all of the following applicable parts: grip, handle, receiver, stock.
      • You may not carry any ammunition
      • No magazine installed in device
      • Barrel must be plugged
      • Trigger group must be removed if possible

    IF A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER IS IN THE DEVICE IT WILL BE TREATED AS A FIREARM.

Blunt Weapons (Staves, Bats, Maces, Wooden Katanas, Hammers)

  • Cannot be composed of solid metal (metal detailing is permitted)

  • Wooden bats are permitted but will be reviewed year-to-year

  • Metal nails or spikes of any type must not be protruding from all blunt weapons

  • May not be swung except in designated photo areas for action shots

  • Props heavy enough to cause injury may be declined on a case-by-case basis

Cylindrical (Staff Poles, Flags, Banners)

  • Prop must be under 7 ft in length and/or under 25 lbs in weight.

  • May not be made of steel or metal PVC and plastic piping is allowed

  • May not be swung except in designated photo areas for action shots

  • As a courtesy, please review flag etiquette when carrying a national flag (such as the US flag)

  • Selfie sticks are currently permitted but will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis

Bulky Costumes (Wings, Gundams, Fursuits, Stilts)

  • Use a handler if your vision is significantly impaired (a handler is another attendee who will escort you around the convention)

  • Wings must be collapsible or removable to prevent impending crowds in tight spaces

  • Cosplayers may be asked to remove stilts if staff believes there is a significant tripping hazard

  • Cosplayers may be asked to remove bulky items in tight spaces or crowds

  • Costumes must not have the ability to shoot projectiles of any type

External Accessories

  • Powders, sand or flashbangs for visual effects within public spaces are not allowed

  • External speakers, especially if continually playing loud music, which are considered a public nuisance will be removed from all public spaces

  • All props must not have the ability to use sound effects that can be mistaken for realistic weapons

  • Cigarette props must be unlit or unable to emit vapors

  • Real food for food props cannot be used

  • Food packaging props must not contain real food

  • Prop bottles may only contain water or dyed water as it will be checked to ensure it does not contain illicit substances

  • Scooters, skateboards, bikes, inline skates, ice skates, roller skates, and hoverboards from attendees are prohibited within all convention and public spaces.

Shoe Policy

  • Shoes, slippers, sandals or lyricals must be worn at all times in public spaces

  • Shoe removal is allowed for photos only

Storage

  • Rocket City Anime Con does not provide storage or handling of Cosplay Props

  • There are no public lockers within the convention spaces

  • Props left behind or unattended may potentially be confiscated and discarded

Other Important Information

Inspection

In order to protect their own safety and that of others, RCAC attendees understand, agree, and consent that designated RCAC representatives or public safety personnel throughout the convention have an absolute right to inspect costumes, weapons, and any other items, and that attendee will submit to such an inspection. Any attendee must submit their costumes, weapons, and other items to an immediate inspection upon request or must leave the convention. In the event a person declines to submit to an inspection and refuses to leave, they shall be immediately expelled from the convention and escorted off the premises.

Scope

This policy shall apply at all official Roket City Anime Con events, including, but not limited to: Rocket City Anime Con, RCAC Staff and/or Directors meetings, and workdays, and shall apply on the property of the Von Braun Convention Center and all surrounding parking lots, parking decks, walkways, roads, parks, recreation areas and/or any other area reserved for use by Rocket City Anime Con.

Only RCAC may determine whether any particular item covered by this policy is permitted or not permitted at RCAC and such determination is solely, exclusively, and absolutely at the discretion of RCAC. Persons who do not cooperate with the determinations of RCAC concerning the application of this policy to any particular item may be immediately expelled from the convention. If it is later discovered that a person brought a working weapon to any current or prior year RCAC, that person may be banned from attending future conventions.

Disclaimer

Persons who carry or otherwise bring prop weapons, replicas, or similar items do so at their own, sole, and absolute risk, and assume all risks of liability, harm, damage, or loss to any person or property injured or otherwise harmed, intentionally or accidentally, directly or indirectly by such items or the person carrying them.

Rocket City Anime Con is and shall not be liable for any injury, harm, damage, or other risk or liability associated with any person’s use of any weapon, replica, or prop, whether permitted or banned here after at RCAC

In no event shall RCAC and/or its affiliates and subsidiaries, or the Von Braun Convention Center have any liability for any incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages hereunder, even if informed of the possibility of same.