Weapons Policy
Permitted weapons/props:
Staves, bo sticks, boken, shinai, and wooden swords are permitted.
All fake, prop, or homemade weapons are permitted if they are in no way dangerous to attendees. Phoenix Comicon security staff will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a fake, prop, or homemade weapon is dangerous. Staff decisions will be final.
Attendees are required to have all such weapons peace bonded by Phoenix Comicon security before entering convention facilities. There will be a Peace Bonding station located near Registration at the main entrance of the convention center.
A weapon/prop requires peace bonding if:
- A person could think it is a genuine weapon from 20 feet away.
- A person could reasonably conclude that the item may cause physical harm or damage to property.
All weapons deemed unsafe for the convention by Phoenix Comicon security must be removed from the convention center and stored in private quarters (car, home, hotel room).
The skill or lack of skill of the person in possession of a prop weapon is irrelevant to the determination of whether or not it is dangerous.
Behavior with weapons/props:
Misuse of any prop weapon, such as swinging it in a public area or causing hazards to others, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention. If a weapon or prop is deemed unsafe for the convention due to misuse, it must be removed from the convention center and stored in private quarters for the remainder of the convention.
Prohibited weapons:
Live steel is not permitted unless the item can be secured in its sheath by Phoenix Comicon security, and it is not removed during the convention. Live steel is defined as swords, knives, or other objects made of metal which can take an edge.
Bullwhips and other stockwhips are not permitted unless they are rolled up and secured by Phoenix Comicon Security and remain that way during the convention.
Wooden Paddles are not permitted.
Guns and projectile weapons are prohibited at Phoenix Comicon. Examples of guns and projectile weapons include but are not limited to live guns, pellet guns, BB guns, air guns, crossbows, dart guns, and blowguns. Exceptions may be made for non-live guns that are not loaded and can be disabled by Phoenix Comicon security. Replicas of live guns are permitted if they are easily identifiable as props. No ammunition of any kind is allowed in convention space.
Nunchaku and other flail weapons are prohibited.
Incendiary devices are not permitted. All devices which spark, shoot flame, burn, smolder, can otherwise cause combustion, or which exist for no purpose other than to be lit with a combustion device, are considered incendiary devices.
Illegal weapons are prohibited at Phoenix Comicon. Attendees found to be carrying illegal weapons will be immediately reported to appropriate authorities.
Concealed weapons are prohibited. All prop weapons must be carried in plain view and cannot be concealed.
Vendor Room purchases and prizes:
Any prohibited weapons purchased or won as prizes at Phoenix Comicon must be securely packaged and immediately removed from the convention space. Weapons should be stored in attendees' private quarters and are not to be taken out of their packaging or wrapping at any time on convention premises.
All prop weapons purchased or won as prizes at the convention must be peace bonded by Phoenix Comicon security if they are to be carried during the convention.
