Anime Expo revamps its weapons policy
Anaheim, California (June 6, 2005) - To protect the interest and safety of attendees, industry retailers, volunteers and staff. Anime Expo® 2005 and the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) continues to lead the trail for all other conventions/expos of similar nature by announcing and upholding a weapons policy. More information is available at http://www.anime-expo.org.
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), management of the Anime Expo® convention, appreciates the time and effort put into the creation of attendee costumes and replica items, but it is imperative that these items comply with these rules as well as local, state and federal laws. To ensure the safety of all those attending Anime Expo®, the SPJA maintains a strict weapons policy. These policies are enforced at all times. Any attendee found to be carrying, brandishing, or have in their possession, any working weapon or firearm at any location associated with the convention will be immediately expelled without refund and the offender may be reported to the authorities.
Paul Freeborn, Anime Expo® 2005's Access Control Department Manager, states "the purpose of the weapons policy is to help ensure the safety of all attendees. Access Control and Cosplay appreciate your cooperation in keeping Anime Expo safe and enjoyable for everyone."
Brandishing any weapon or weapon-like item is not permissible. Brandishing is defined as the display of an item for the purpose of real or implied threat, or any act that may cause anyone to believe that the intent was there, real or implied. The intent is irrelevant under the law, and the brandishing of any weapon will be treated as assault upon another person.
Attendees may not carry any working weapon, openly or concealed, at any time at or around the convention space, including the parking lots. Working weapons, firearms, curio or relic or antique firearms, and all forms of ammunition are forbidden. "Working Weapons" include, but are not limited to: firearms and ammunition of any and all sorts, rifles, shotguns, hand guns, BB guns, pellet guns, cap guns, air-soft weapons, paintball guns, blow guns, tazers, explosives, knives, swords (including katanas and other martial arts style swords), daggers, sword canes, switchblades, bali-song (butterfly) knives, axes, hatchets, pole arms, staffs, clubs, bows, arrows, martial arts weapons, brass knuckles, chains, pepper spray, mace, and any projectile item, toy or real.
Even items that may be legal to own or carry are not welcome at Anime Expo®. Please leave them at home. Purchased weapons, whether real or replica, must be kept wrapped and then immediately removed from the premises following purchase.
Laser pointers, laser-aiming devices, or similar devices, may NOT be used in public, unless you are officially sanctioned to lead or present a convention seminar, workshop, display, or other convention- sanctioned events in which a laser is needed.
Permitted Exceptions:
SPJA UNDERSTANDS THAT CARRYING PROPS AND REPLICAS IS IMPORTANT TO MANY FANS AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE CONVENTION EXPERIENCE. FANS OF PROP WEAPONS OR OTHER ITEMS PERMITTED BELOW USE AND CARRY THEM AT THEIR OWN RISK, AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF LIABILITY TO AND FROM ANYONE HARMED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY THE FAN'S ACTS OR INACTION. SPJA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY HARM, DAMAGE, OR OTHER LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY PERSON'S USE OF ANY WEAPON, PERMITTED OR BANNED, AT ANIME EXPO®. If attendees take advantage of this privilege by putting others or potentially putting others at risk or in harm's way, the individuals doing so will be expelled from the convention and even Prop or Futuristic Replica Weapons may be prohibited from the convention entirely.
Only the management of Anime Expo® may determine whether any particular item fits into one of the following exceptions, and such determination is solely and exclusively at the discretion of the management of Anime Expo®. Persons who do not cooperate with the determinations of Anime Expo® management concerning any weapon-like items may be immediately expelled from the convention.
All Prop Weapons and Futuristic Replicas (as described below) must be submitted to Access Control for approval. If approved, the Prop Weapon or Futuristic Replica will be Peace Bonded at the sole discretion of the management of Anime Expo®. This designation may be revoked at any time at discretion of the management of Anime Expo®, for reasons including but not limited to the item being used or brandished in an inappropriate fashion or if complaints are received regarding its display. Weapons which are not approved will not be Peace Bonded and may not be displayed. Display of weapons which are not Peace Bonded is a violation of the Weapons Policy and may result in the individual being expelled from Anime Expo®.
"Peace Bonded" means an Access Control-Approved weapon is visibly secured by Anime Expo® personnel so that it cannot be drawn or used. Removing or tampering with the device(s) used by Access Control to designate Peace Bonding is a violation of the Weapon's Policy. Anyone who violates this policy may be expelled from Anime Expo®.
The management of Anime Expo® requires that any Prop Weapon or Futuristic Replica must be Peace Bonded so that there is no chance for a dangerous part of the weapon inadvertently coming into contact with other attendees or contestants.
- Prop Weapons: "Prop Weapons" may be carried during the convention, provided that you comply with the following restrictions. "Prop Weapons" are home-made or commercial costume props that support the overall look of a costume or character. Metal Prop Weapons, or Prop Weapons which may present a danger to others, may not be displayed. Water guns, squirt guns, and non-functional toy guns (toy guns that do not launch any form of projectile) will only be approved if they are one of the following colors: white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms, or transparent or translucent as provided by federal or state statutes and regulations governing imitation firearms. Water guns and squirt guns must remain empty; filling them with any substance will be considered a violation of the Peace Bonding requirements. Prop Weapons are to be displayed ONLY as costume pieces. Prop Weapons are NOT allowed to be swung, jabbed, thrust, or actively used on the convention grounds or in parking lots. They can injure others and create unsafe situations. Anyone brandishing a Prop Weapon will be told to remove it from Anime Expo®.
- Futuristic Replicas: Futuristic Replicas of non-existent weapons may be displayed, provided that they are immediately and obviously recognizable as such. These can include, for example: phasers, ray guns, or light-sabers. Such replicas are subject to the same material restrictions as "Prop Weapons" above.
- Martial Arts Performances & Demos: Persons giving martial arts performances or demonstrations that are officially sanctioned in advance by the management of Anime Expo® may display working martial arts weapons during the demonstrations or performances only, and those weapons must be used so as to avoid harm to persons or property. These martial arts weapons must be transported to and from the performance or demonstration area in cases or wrapped, and must be removed from the convention premises immediately following the performance or demonstration. The management of Anime Expo® reserves the right to stop any performance or demonstration in its sole or absolute discretion.
- COSTUMES THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANIME EXPO®.
Anime Expo® management reserves the right to determine whether a uniform costume is permitted or too close to a real world uniform at its sole and absolute discretion.
Designated Access-Control, hotel security, and Convention Center Security, and Anime Expo® staff members throughout Anime Expo® may inspect costumes, weapons, and any other items. Any individual with the costume or weapon must submit to an immediate and mandatory 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. Any additional weapons-related questions may be directed to Access-Control at Anime Expo®.
Located in Anaheim, California - Anime Expo®, the world's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/ manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX® 2005 will be held July 1 - 4, 2005 at the Anaheim Convention Center. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property - Anime Expo®.