AnimeIowa Weapons Policy
Wearing a Costume to AnimeIowa makes it a more fun weekend for all! We encourage you to dress as your
favorite Anime or Manga Character! We also want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time, so Please
adhere to the following Policy.
The Intention of the AnimeIowa Weapons Policy is to minimize unfortunate Weapons-Related Accidents, not
to limit anyone’s creativity or fun. Anyone caught violating the Weapons Policy risks being “Uninvited” to the
Convention without refund of their Registration and other Fees.
Bold Terms in the Policy are further explained in the DEFINITIONS Section
at the end of this Document.
- ALL Weapons and Props must be taken to the Weapons/Prop Check Station, at the Info Desk, for
inspection by the On Duty Staff Person (Bridge if after Info Desk hours). Any item(s) as well as some
costumes may warrant inspection as well.
a. The On Duty Staff Person (Info Desk or Bridge) will assess any problems on site and on a case
by case basis.
b. The On Duty Staff Person (Info Desk or Bridge) will also be happy to answer any questions
regarding these items. - Bladed Weapons must be sheathed and Peace-Marked and may not be drawn at any time during the
Convention. - Real Firearms are NOT ALLOWED, nor are working Projectile Weapons.
a. This may include, but not limited to, toy water guns as well as bubbles, and water balloons. - Realistic-Looking Firearms & Realistic-Looking Bladed Weapons must be holstered/sheathed and
Peace-Marked into a sheath(s) or holster(s).
a. They may not be drawn at any time during the convention.
b. If the item(s) cannot be Peace-Marked they will NOT BE ALLOWED.
c. Realistic-Looking Firearms may never be pointed at any person under any circumstances.
NOTE: Orange Caps on Realistic-Looking Firearms are highly encouraged, but will not be
provided or considered as a guarantee admittance into the Convention. - Non Realistic-Looking Firearms & Non Realistic-Looking Bladed Weapons must be Peace-Marked.
a. However, we prefer that they be holstered/sheathed and Peace-Marked when possible. - Large Props MUST BE Peace-Marked.
- Costumes exhibiting paraphernalia of any Military Unit in existence after January 1990 or any replica of
such, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
a. EXCEPTIONS:
i. Individuals on Active Military Duty wearing their respective Uniforms may be made.
ii. These Individuals may be asked to show Military Identification.
NOTE: This INCLUDES Law Enforcement from all branches of Government. - Costumes such those listed in Rule #7, or accompanied by weaponry that would not be permitted under
any other Rule, may be worn while the Wearer is participating in a Special Convention Function or
Programming Item such as the Cosplay only. The weaponries or items may ONLY be worn for the
duration of the function. - The AnimeIowa Executive Committee reserves the right to amend these Policies without prior notice
and any ruling made by the Executive Committee is Final. - The On Duty Staff Person(s) (Info Desk or Bridge) reserves the right to verify Peace-Marking at any
time during the Convention.
Definitions:
A. Bladed Weapon:
a. Any Weapon with a metal edge, or an edge capable of cutting or inflicting significant damage.
b. Examples of Bladed Weapons include but not limited to:
i. Swords
ii. Knives
iii. Bokkens
iv. Shuriken
B. Large Prop:
a. Any Costume Accessory deemed to be a potential nuisance by Staff given its Height, Girth, and/or Weight.
b. Some Examples of Large Props include but not be limited to:
i. Miroku’s Staff from Inu Yasha.
ii. Sango’s Boomerang from Inu Yasha.
C. Nonrealistic-Looking Bladed Weapon:
a. A toy, look-alike, or imitation bladed weapon that does not duplicate a real bladed weapon and cannot be perceived to be one.
b. Nonrealistic-Looking Bladed Weapons have their edges and tips blunted and are constructed of non-metallic material.
c. Other features that can identify a bladed weapon as Non-realistic-Looking can include but not be limited to:
i. A greatly exaggerated size
ii. A principal color that is not black, blue, silver or gray.
d. The AnimeIowa Executive Committee reserves the authority to determine whether a weapon qualifies as Non-realistic-Looking.
e. Some Examples of Nonrealistic-Looking Bladed Weapons would be those made from material such as paper mache, cardboard, and can look like the gunblades used in the Final Fantasy Video Games or any other Bladed Weapon
D. Non-realistic-Looking Firearm:
a. A toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm that does not duplicate a real firearm and cannot be
perceived to be one.
b. Nonrealistic-Looking Firearms are preferably identified by a blaze orange marking permanently
affixed firearm’s barrel, and roughly 1⁄4 inch in length.
c. Other features that can identify a firearm as Non-realistic-Looking can include but not limited to:
i. Greatly exaggerated size
ii. A principal color that is not black, blue, silver, or gray.
d. The AnimeIowa Executive Committee reserves the authority to determine whether a weapon
qualifies as Nonrealistic-Looking.
e. Some Examples of Non-realistic-Looking Firearms include but not limited to:
i. Those with the blaze orange marking described above.
ii. Vash the Stampede’s huge handgun or Milly’s Stun Gun from Trigun.
iii. The “Ray Guns” used in Cyborg 009.
iv. The Orbo Guns used in Witch Hunter Robin.
E. Peace-Marking:
a. Non-realistic-Looking Firearms, Non-realistic-Looking Bladed Weapons, and Large Props will
have Peace-Marking material tied to the Weapon as a visible sign that it has been checked and
approved by the On Duty Staff Person (Info Desk or Bridge).
b. Peace-Marking Material is available at the Info Desk or at the Bridge (after Info Desk Hours).
F. Projectile Weapons:
a. If it projects a solid, liquid, gas, or energy, it is considered a working .
b. Laser-Lights emit energy that can be damaging to the eyes, so they are considered working Projectile Weapons.
c. Toys such as Nerf Guns and water pistols are considered Projectile Weapons, but if they are holstered and Peace-Marked according to Rules #4 or #5, and they are incapable of being loaded or fired, they are allowed.
G. Real Firearm:
a. Any Weapon for which a Permit is required to carry are not allowed at the convention and/or all
con attendees are not allowed to have a real firearm during the convention “period”.
b. Some Examples of Real Firearms that are not allowed at the convention are;
i. Pellet Guns
ii. B-B Guns
iii. Paintball Guns
iv. Handguns / pistols
v. Rifles / automatic rifles / bolt action rifles.
vi. Shotguns That are both semi-automatic / pump action shotguns.
H. Realistic-Looking Bladed Weapon:
a. A toy, look-alike, or imitation Bladed Weapon having the general appearance, shape, and/or
configuration of a real Bladed Weapon.
b. Some Examples of Realistic-Looking Bladed Weapons include but not limited to:
i. Theatrical Props
ii. Collector Replicas
iii. Toy Swords/Knives that appear similar to real Bladed Weapons.
Updated June 12, 2025