1. METAL OBJECTS:No live steel (sheathed or unsheathed) will be allowed on the property. Live steel includes, but is not limited to, swords, daggers, knives, bayonets, or other metal objects sharpened to an edge or capable of taking an edge. Please note Virginia Code article ยง 18.2-308 in regards to your inability to carry these and other weapons concealed anywhere in this state.
2. GUNS:There will be no gassed, charged, or loaded guns of any kind. No active pellet, water, or air guns will be permitted. No unloaded real firearms or high quality replicas of said items will be permitted, except for proven inert air-soft guns. Plastic models which can easily be identified as fake or a child’s toy will be allowed. All guns must be peace bonded to prove a willing compliance with our weapons policy and to prove that our staff inspected the weapon. All questionable items will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
3. Any object over 8 feet in length or weighing over 60 pounds is considered an obstruction, and we may consider it a weapon by size alone, even if it does not meet other qualifications. If any item approaches the ends of either of these limitations, please expect and ensure regular communication with the staff at the convention, and warn the staff of the presence of this item prior to the convention in person and/or via the contact form on the web site.
4. Wooden weapons that are allowed include, but are not limited to staffs, walking sticks, bokken, and other wooden swords. All such items must be kept with their tips towards the ground, they may not present a danger at any time to those around you, and they must clearly show their peace-bonding to prove a willing compliance with our weapons policy and to prove that our staff inspected the weapon. The only exception to these rules is during static, non-moving photo opportunities, taken in designated photo areas, or well away from foot traffic.
5. Fake or made-up weaponry, such as that made from tissue paper, plaster of Paris, cloth, foam, or other soft materials are all welcomed if they are safe and not dangerous to others. To ensure the comfort of other guests, please also keep these weapons with their tips towards the ground. They may not present a danger at any time to those around you, and they must clearly show their peace-bonding to prove a willing compliance with our weapons policy and to prove that our staff inspected the weapon. The only exception to these rules is during static, non-moving photo opportunities, taken in designated photo areas, or well away from foot traffic.
6. To purchase any weapons from our qualified dealers, either bladed or air soft, you must be at least 18 years of age and present proof of age such as a Driver’s License or other photographic ID at the time of sale. Purchasing an item for an underage individual can result in being removed from the convention at the very least.
7. Weapons that do not meet with our weapons policy can be purchased at the convention center in our Dealer’s Room. Any weapon that can not be carried according to this policy must be taken to your hotel room, vehicle, or other storage arrangement as soon as you are finished shopping in the designated Dealer’s Room. Travel between the Dealer’s Room and your storage arrangement are the only allowable travel while carrying a disallowed weapon. This also means that the weapon is not to be removed from its packaging while you are on convention property, including the convention center’s outside areas. If the weapon can be carried within limitations by our weapons policy, please ensure that the weapon is certified and peace-bonded to prove a willing compliance with our weapons policy and to prove that our staff inspected the weapon. Any packaging is still to be immediately stored or disposed of, and carrying the means to render a peace-bonded air soft operable is not permitted.
8. All items that will be permitted under these rules must be peace bonded upon being brought on to the convention center’s grounds to prove a willing compliance with our weapons policy and to prove that our staff inspected the weapon, which can be done at any Information Desk.
9. All decisions made by our staff before and during the convention regarding the Nekocon Weapons Policy are final. Any changes will be reported to the best of our ability as soon as they can be officially updated, but any immediate changes agreed to by staff will be immediate and binding to the current convention period.
10. Please note that the Nekocon Weapons policy is subject to change before, during, or after the convention, and changes may be made with or without advance notice or written notification. All updates will be provided as soon as possible and posted clearly, but any immediate changes agreed to by staff will be immediate and binding to the current convention period.