Sakuracon 2011 Peace-Bonding Thread (Weapons Policy)

[Kerensky18]

Welcome to the 2011 Sakura-Con Peace Bonding and Weapons Policy thread!

Please remember that all weapons must abide by our Policies, which can be found at http://www.sakuracon.org/aboutus/policies.php If you are not sure that your weapon is permitted or not, please visit the above link first. Then if your question is not answered, feel free to ask here.

New rule:
1) No functioning or previously functioning projectile weapon or parts therof, including but not limited to: Air Soft, Nerf, Pellet guns.


As with last year's thread, answers given in this thread may not necessarily reflect the answer you will receive when you arrive at the convention with your weapon, (especially regarding exotic weapons,) and just because someone said yes at one point doesn't mean that SAS is not able to make a judgment call depending on the situation. If you would like clarification on an answer or why feel free to ask and we will be more then happy to help you in anyway we can!

As a note official responses will be from the following titles SAS Manager, Assistant SAS Manager, SAS Night Manager, Peace-Bonding Coordinator and assistant and finally the Operations Director and his assistant. Please look under the username to the right for their position. (default forum layout.)

[PinkLemonade]

Hello, hello! This is your friendly Neighborhood Peace-Bonding Coordinator here, back again for at least another year, and ready to answer your Peace Bonding related inquiries.

[Tabby-chan]

hi hi i was just curious if i would have to get a walking cane for my cosplay peace bonded? there really isnt anything special to it, it will be made of wood.

[PinkLemonade]

hi hi i was just curious if i would have to get a walking cane for my cosplay peace bonded? there really isnt anything special to it, it will be made of wood.

First question!

First of all, congrats.
Secondly, if your cane is indeed mundane with nothing special, such as a hidden blade or something, and cannot be perceived as a weapon (and your character doesn't use it as one), I have some good news. You're all good, no binding necessary. Thank you for asking.

[Tabby-chan]

First question!

First of all, congrats.
Secondly, if your cane is indeed mundane with nothing special, such as a hidden blade or something, and cannot be perceived as a weapon (and your character doesn't use it as one), I have some good news. You're all good, no binding necessary. Thank you for asking.[/quote]


great! thanks so much!

[PockySnowshadow]

Hello! I am planning to bring a few of my props for the convention, but I just wanted to make sure that it would be OK!

1) A sword made of foam core. I was reading that we are not allowed to take out our swords-- not even for photoshoots? =( Does this differ depending on what material the sword is made out of, or no?

2) A lance. Link of reference is here: http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-01/ff9-freya.html
Last year I saw someone dressed up as Fang from Final Fantasy XIII walking around with a lance very similar to this one-- can I bring mine?

3) A bow. Not sure why I couldn't bring it, but I wanted to clarify. There wouldn't be any arrows with it, so no risk of me firing at random bystanders <_<.

Thanks~~ <3

[dragonacid16]

I believe this thread would fall under your guys expertise. They are asking about distinction between "live steel" and "stage steel" for peace bonding because sas requires them to peace bond and sheath their metal sword with no distinct edge.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=20493

[Kerensky18]

Hello! I am planning to bring a few of my props for the convention, but I just wanted to make sure that it would be OK!

1) A sword made of foam core. I was reading that we are not allowed to take out our swords-- not even for photoshoots? =( Does this differ depending on what material the sword is made out of, or no?

2) A lance. Link of reference is here: http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-01/ff9-freya.html
Last year I saw someone dressed up as Fang from Final Fantasy XIII walking around with a lance very similar to this one-- can I bring mine?

3) A bow. Not sure why I couldn't bring it, but I wanted to clarify. There wouldn't be any arrows with it, so no risk of me firing at random bystanders <_<.

Thanks~~ <3

Sorry Pink aka Dan, I'm bored so I'll answer this one. ^^


1) Your sword sounds like it would be allowable under our policies and able to be out for photos.

2) The lance sounds fine, but we will review it at the peacebonding booth.

3) Unfourtanetly we do not allow any projectile weapons inside of the convention. This includes bows, you can have the core of the bow but it must be unstrung.

[Kerensky18]

Hello, I'd like to ask that the only people posting in this thread to be the following:

Operations staff listed in my initial post.

People asking questions about weapon policies.

And finally forum moderators and convention directors.

If too many unrelated people start posting in the thread it can lead to confusion or miss-information.

Thank You:
Jason Pollard
SAS Manager

[PinkLemonade]

I believe this thread would fall under your guys expertise. They are asking about distinction between "live steel" and "stage steel" for peace bonding because sas requires them to peace bond and sheath their metal sword with no distinct edge.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=20493

I wish to express the following in my most courteous and helpful voice.
The Peace-Bonding staff is there for the protection and convenience of every con-goer, costumed or not. They have been trained and updated on convention policy, and know what they are doing. It is they, and the SAS Operator who make any and all distinctions regarding props or hazardous merchandise. What may be a sword with, "no distinct edge" to one, may very well fall within an entirely separate category after having been thoroughly inspected. We thank you for your cooperation, and will continue to strive for your safety and convenience. Thank you.

[Kiaros_Mokushi]

Hello! I am planning to bring a few of my props for the convention, but I just wanted to make sure that it would be OK!

1) A sword made of foam core. I was reading that we are not allowed to take out our swords-- not even for photoshoots? =( Does this differ depending on what material the sword is made out of, or no?

2) A lance. Link of reference is here: http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-01/ff9-freya.html
Last year I saw someone dressed up as Fang from Final Fantasy XIII walking around with a lance very similar to this one-- can I bring mine?

3) A bow. Not sure why I couldn't bring it, but I wanted to clarify. There wouldn't be any arrows with it, so no risk of me firing at random bystanders <_<.

Thanks~~ <3

Sorry Pink aka Dan, I'm bored so I'll answer this one. ^^


1) Your sword sounds like it would be allowable under our policies and able to be out for photos.

2) The lance sounds fine, but we will review it at the peacebonding booth.

3) Unfourtanetly we do not allow any projectile weapons inside of the convention. This includes bows, you can have the core of the bow but it must be unstrung.

For the rest of us then, could you distinguish what is and is not allowed to be displayed for photo shoots? Since metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed, what kinds of weapons would not be allowed to be posed with for photos and the like? Thanks in advance.

[Kerensky18]

For the rest of us then, could you distinguish what is and is not allowed to be displayed for photo shoots? Since metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed, what kinds of weapons would not be allowed to be posed with for photos and the like? Thanks in advance.

Depends on what you define as a photo shoot, if your talking about photos taken in the general convention space than you must abide by the weapon policies. We do allow weapons to be unsheathed at the offical photo-booth though.

Where did you received the information that metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed? That is not the case, we do however require that Metal Swords be sheathed at all times.

Any weapon is fine as long as it abides to the rules listed in the link in my opening post. I cant cover all the weapons which is why we have this thread. If you have a specific item that you wish for a ruling on please ask and we will do our best to give you an answer

[SailorGundam06]

For the rest of us then, could you distinguish what is and is not allowed to be displayed for photo shoots? Since metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed, what kinds of weapons would not be allowed to be posed with for photos and the like? Thanks in advance.

Depends on what you define as a photo shoot, if your talking about photos taken in the general convention space than you must abide by the weapon policies. We do allow weapons to be unsheathed at the offical photo-booth though.

Where did you received the information that metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed? That is not the case, we do however require that Metal Swords be sheathed at all times.

Any weapon is fine as long as it abides to the rules listed in the link in my opening post. I cant cover all the weapons which is why we have this thread. If you have a specific item that you wish for a ruling on please ask and we will do our best to give you an answer

Just for further clarification, because this occurred to me while reading through the thread, even though I'm not planning on having a bladed weapon prop at con:

Some people commission photographers attending the con to do photoshoots in areas around the convention center. The photographer poses them in a scenic area either outside in the park or inside the convention center, sometimes even at the convention hotels. Sometimes, for the sake of the photo, the photographer might have them pose with the weapon prop in a battle ready position. Is this considered okay or bad? It happens all over the place, and people usually are pretty good at keeping their distance when they see a photographer taking posed pictures like that (unless they stop and stand behind the photographer to take their own pictures, but they're definitely not going to get in the way of their own shot... lol).

There's also the situation of large group cosplay gatherings where a photographer may pose cosplayers to make it look like the characters are fighting each other with their weapons. Again, is this a problem?

Usually, it doesn't get dangerous in these situations because the cosplayers aren't actually moving and fighting with the weapons, and usually the general public is pushed back out of the way for the sake of keeping the photos clear of anyone not involved in the pose. Also, because no one seems to say anything, I figured that this could be considered a 'photoshoot', since it's usually more formal and more organized than just, "Hey, look at that cool costume walking down the hall, let's stop them and take a picture." However, your comment about 'only at the official photo booth' sort of spurred my question and confused me a little.

[PockySnowshadow]

1) Your sword sounds like it would be allowable under our policies and able to be out for photos.

Would I only be able to bring it out at the official photo booth, or could I also have for one of the impromptu shoots that we cosplayers often have? Or, without looking at it in person, is it too hard to determine?

This will be my first time bringing props, so I am a bit nervous =3 I don't want to annoy staff when I get there.

[Kerensky18]

For the rest of us then, could you distinguish what is and is not allowed to be displayed for photo shoots? Since metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed, what kinds of weapons would not be allowed to be posed with for photos and the like? Thanks in advance.

Depends on what you define as a photo shoot, if your talking about photos taken in the general convention space than you must abide by the weapon policies. We do allow weapons to be unsheathed at the offical photo-booth though.

Where did you received the information that metal weapons or props of any kind are no longer allowed? That is not the case, we do however require that Metal Swords be sheathed at all times.

Any weapon is fine as long as it abides to the rules listed in the link in my opening post. I cant cover all the weapons which is why we have this thread. If you have a specific item that you wish for a ruling on please ask and we will do our best to give you an answer

Just for further clarification, because this occurred to me while reading through the thread, even though I'm not planning on having a bladed weapon prop at con:

Some people commission photographers attending the con to do photoshoots in areas around the convention center. The photographer poses them in a scenic area either outside in the park or inside the convention center, sometimes even at the convention hotels. Sometimes, for the sake of the photo, the photographer might have them pose with the weapon prop in a battle ready position. Is this considered okay or bad? It happens all over the place, and people usually are pretty good at keeping their distance when they see a photographer taking posed pictures like that (unless they stop and stand behind the photographer to take their own pictures, but they're definitely not going to get in the way of their own shot... lol).

There's also the situation of large group cosplay gatherings where a photographer may pose cosplayers to make it look like the characters are fighting each other with their weapons. Again, is this a problem?

Usually, it doesn't get dangerous in these situations because the cosplayers aren't actually moving and fighting with the weapons, and usually the general public is pushed back out of the way for the sake of keeping the photos clear of anyone not involved in the pose. Also, because no one seems to say anything, I figured that this could be considered a 'photoshoot', since it's usually more formal and more organized than just, "Hey, look at that cool costume walking down the hall, let's stop them and take a picture." However, your comment about 'only at the official photo booth' sort of spurred my question and confused me a little.

If the weapon is live steel or similar where we have had to zip tie the weapon into its sheath than it is not allowed to be unsheathed unless it’s in the official photo booth. As for posing as long it’s harmless (usually one of my staff is wandering by and sees this) and it’s clearly for photos we don’t say anything unless it gets out of hand.
For the photo shoots outside of the convention center (even in the area outside the fourth floor) that is outside of my jurisdiction and I recommend following the RCW and Seattle City ordinances when it comes to weapons ^^, I don’t know all of them otherwise I’d point you where to look.

[Kerensky18]

1) Your sword sounds like it would be allowable under our policies and able to be out for photos.

Would I only be able to bring it out at the official photo booth, or could I also have for one of the impromptu shoots that we cosplayers often have? Or, without looking at it in person, is it too hard to determine?

This will be my first time bringing props, so I am a bit nervous =3 I don't want to annoy staff when I get there.

Your sword as long as it's made out of foam or wood will not need to be sheathed (it still needs to be peace-bound) and therefore you will be able to have it out at all times in the convention space. So you can pose for however many photos you want I hope you have fun doing your cosplay. If you have any questions you can always stop by the pecebonding booth for further assistance.