A REAL WEAPON includes, but is not limited to: firearms, ammunition (including spent rounds), rifles, shotguns, hand guns, BB guns, pellet guns, cap guns, air-soft weapons, paintball guns, blow guns, tasers, laser pointers, laser-aiming devices, or similar laser devices, explosives, knives, swords (including katana and other martial arts style swords), daggers, sword canes, switchblades, bali-song (butterfly) knives, axes, hatchets, pole arms, staffs, clubs, wooden or metal bats and paddles, bows (compound bows, long bows, recurve bows), any tipped arrows (including target tips), martial arts weapons, brass knuckles, baseball bats, chains, whips, nooses, leashes, handcuffs, pepper spray, mace, whips, projectile items, toy or real, or any item that may infer it is a dangerous item or one which would place another in apprehension of immediate harm (certain weapons may be allowed with restrictions - see below).

Weapons purchased at Omni Fandom Expo must be kept boxed/wrapped and are to be immediately removed from the convention area following purchase. The only acceptable locations it may be taken without removal from the hotel is your hotel room (in which case we suggest you keep it boxed/wrapped) or your vehicle (in which case we suggest you keep it boxed/wrapped).

PROP VS WEAPON - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

A "Prop" is something that can be carried in your hands or on your person considered as an accessory to your costume. The term "Weapon" may be indiscriminately used to describe any type of Prop that can possibly be viewed as related to any type of combat or violence. This view is held regardless of how you may be acting with your "Prop" and also regardless of what it is (from plushies to replica weapons). The moment any kind of prop, no matter how cute, inoffensive, or harmless it seems, is misused or brandished in such a fashion, it can and will becomes classified as "Weapon" by Omni Fandom Expo Security and Staff and will be treated as such. Oddly enough, a stuffed Pikachu may be considered a weapon in certain circumstances.

PROPS, PROP WEAPONS, OR FUTURISTIC CREATIONS

• • Prop: An accessory to your costume that is large enough to be carried.
  • Prop Weapons: homemade or commercially rendered realistically styled costume prop weapons that are accessories to your character.
  • Futuristic Creations: Futuristic costume/replica weapons such as: phasers, blasters, ray guns, or light-sabers.

PROP MATERIALS:

Preferred materials for props are foam, cardboard, paper mache, resin, fiberglass, wood and plastic. ALL Props/Weapons should be constructed of light and flexible materials with as little wood and metal as possible.

No metal bladed or sharp Props/Weapons will be allowed!

ABSOLUTELY NO SHARP EDGED PROPS ARE ALLOWED! Any prop bladed weapon should not be able to physically cut someone MUST be of a prop nature. Bladed Prop/Weapons should be foam, foil-wrapped cardboard, flexible plastic, etc. Bokken and other wooden weapons are  permitted only at the discretion of Omni Fandom Expo.

PROP/REPLICA GUNS/WEAPONS:

NO REAL GUN IN ANY FORM, even in inoperable or unusable condition, may be used as a prop at Omni Fandom Expo. This policy is regardless of the gun being any of the following: unloaded, stripped down, barrel filled, or anything else. Prop Weapons (such as toy firearms, NERF guns, etc) will be permitted as long as they have an orange tip at the end of the barrel, and can be easily identified as a non-functioning toy gun from a distance. Any painted Prop Gun MUST have an orange tip. You may not paint any Prop Replica Gun completely to look like a real firearm. Any real firearm used as a prop will result in the immediate and permanent removal from Omni Fandom Expo and a call to the Local Law Enforcement.

Rubber, plastic or foam crafted Prop or toy firearms are preferred.

No realistic ammunition and other realistically-colored weapons (ie: grenades), live or spent ammunition, shells, or explosive devices of any kind are allowed.

Airsoft and Paintball Guns: Are not allowed intact, no matter what color they are painted and no matter what color the tip is painted. If your weapon shoots anything other than water or foam darts, you will be asked to put it in your car/room. If the internal workings are removed, it has orange tips and it is repainted a non-realistic color (or is clear), they may be used. Please note: in this case, we definitely prefer clear airsoft guns. If the clear airsoft gun also has realistic-colored parts, those must be painted a non-realistic color (unless those are the internal parts, in which case, again, they must be removed entirely). Airsoft or Paintball guns that are electrically or gas powered, must also be completely discharged (no CO2 canister, no charged battery or no battery at all, etc).

We do allow the use of a small amount of certain metallic ACCENT colors on weapons with a realistic appearance. (However, black, silver and brown colors are still not allowed under any circumstances as the main body color of a realistic weapon. If the weapon is non realistic, any body color is acceptable.) This Accent color MUST be clearly visible as an ACCENT, and cannot be the "Majority" color. Think around 10% of the total surface of the weapon. This is a guideline, and we reserve the right to reject ANY weapon at the convention, if we feel the accent color compromises the standing rules regarding color. (Simply put, if your accent color is determined to be less of an accent and to have overpowered the "base" color, it will be rejected.)

No Prop Gun may have any "Ammunition" loaded at any time. Omni Fandom Expo maintains a zero tolerance policy on discharging projectiles, even from an approved prop or weapon regardless of the type of weapon (water pistol, NERF gun, airsoft) Any discharge will result  in the immediate and permanent removal from Omni Fandom Expo. These rules apply to any prop or toy firearms purchased from any vendor.

Wooden swords, plastic bats, prop canes, staffs, etc: permitted, but must be brought to Weapons Check as soon as they come on to the hotel grounds to be peace bonded. If you are caught brandishing it at someone threateningly (so, not simply posing for a photo, that's fine!) or fighting with it (even if you're joking around), your badge will be punched, and you will be asked to put it in your room.

Bows and Arrows: Bows and arrows are allowed, however: no tips on the arrows, and all bows must remain unstrung for the entirety of the convention. To have your weapon approved and peace bonded, the bow must be unstrung (tied on one end only). If we see you stringing your bow or nocking an arrow, even for a picture, your badge will be punched and you will be asked to put your bow in your room. This does not pertain to holding the arrow in place while posing for a photo, since there's either just one end tied or no string which can let fly. While we understand that compound bows cannot be easily unstrung, if you are carrying one then we require that you never nock an arrow, nor hold one in a manner that might construe that you have an arrow nocked.

Other Props: Whips are allowed but must be kept on the hip. Swinging it (and not just posed for a photo) will possibly result in your removal from Omni Fandom Expo

Any non heavy gauge metal chains less than three feet (3’) are allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, chain wallets or chains on non-costume clothing. While you can have chains, you cannot hold the chain like a leash and lead others around the convention. Larger gauge chain for costumes should be made out of plastic or foam.

Leashes are permitted. If you are wearing the collar, you must be holding the handle. Leashes will not be extended between two or more people at any time for other than photos. This can create a safety hazard and the leash can then be classified as a weapon that can cause entanglement.

NO "PADDLES," of any sort will be permitted at the convention. This includes, but is not limited to, Yaoi/Yuri Paddles.

Mostly non-metal prop weapons: If your prop has a metal handle, or hilt, (ex: a Lightsaber or wooden sword), with a metal hand grip or hilt, this is acceptable. Still NO METAL BLADES OF ANY KIND WILL BE ALLOWED.

PROP/WEAPONS CHECK:

ALL props, prop weapons, or futuristic replica must be submitted to a "Weapons Check" for written approval. Weapons Check has the sole discretion to approve any type of prop or prop weapons/replicas at Omni Fandom Expo. Weapons Check is located at the booth entitled “Prop Check In.” Every Prop/Weapon will be handled on a case by case basis, made sure it follows Omni Fandom Expo guidelines, and will be treated accordingly. Weapons Check will make sure any pop gun is unloaded of any "ammunition", as well as zip tie the trigger so that it is incapable of firing. Swords and other applicable Prop/Weapons will be peace bonded. The determination of if a Prop/Weapon may be allowed into Omni Fandom Expo is at the sole discretion of Omni Fandom Expo Security and Staff. You may be potentially asked to make adjustments to your Prop/Weapon to make it safe for entry into Omni Fandom Expo.

Please note: in some cases, a prop weapon may be attached to a costume and may fall under Weapons Check approval at the discretion of Omni Fandom Expo security.

Removing or tampering with the device(s) used by Weapons Check / Security to designate approval is a violation of the Weapons Policy and will result in immediate expulsion from Omni Fandom Expo without warning.

An Attendee who has their Prop/Weapons approved by Weapons Check MUST keep them under their physical control at any and all times. Any prop that is loaned to someone else that it is not registered to may possibly be confiscated, and you may be removed from the convention.

Any approved prop/weapon may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Weapons Check / Security and management of Omni Fandom Expo, for reasons including, but not limited to, the item being utilized or brandished in an inappropriate fashion or complaints about improper use or display. Any arguing with Omni Fandom Expo Security and Staff over your Prop / Weapon for any reason may result in the confiscation of your Prop / Weapon, your potential removal from Omni Fandom Expo, or being detained/removed by the Local Law Enforcement.

USE OF APPROVED PROPS/WEAPONS:

Props/Weapons are to be displayed only as costume pieces and are not allowed to be utilized in ANY threatening manner other than in a static pose for a photograph. Any prop/weapon that is swung, brandished, or actively used can injure others, create unsafe situations and possibly injure others. You may pose with a Prop/Weapon in a brandishing manner, so long as no reasonable person would interpret the posed brandishing as anything but a pose for dramatic effect. Such posed brandishing may be stopped at the sole and absolute discretion of Security, management of Omni Fandom Expo, or staff members. Any such violation on the Official Hotel grounds or in the parking lots may be grounds for discharge from hotel property and/or detention by police.

TRANSPORTATION OF PROPS/WEAPONS / OFFICIAL HOTEL AREAS:

Omni Fandom Expo also requests that attendees have respect for people staying in the Official Hotel or attending other functions in the convention area that are not attending Omni Fandom Expo. Please make every effort to wrap your weapon or use carry bags for transporting your Props/Weapons from your car/hotel room to the convention space.

Masks are not to be worn in any common area of the Official Hotel that is not specifically rented by Omni Fandom Expo.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES traverse the lobby, hotel registration, common areas, pool, etc. wearing tactical gear complete with face masks and fake guns! This will most likely result in your arrest. This is just but one example. Please use common sense in regards to your costume. Please remember, not everyone understands what cosplay is and many will not hesitate to immediately report you to the hotel or the police.

PLEASE NOTE: Omni Fandom Expo will take no responsibility in any situation arising between an attendee and the Official Hotel.

MARTIAL ARTS PERFORMANCES & DEMOS:

Persons giving martial arts performances or demonstrations that are officially sanctioned in advance by the management of Omni Fandom Expo may display working martial arts weapons during, and thirty (30) minutes before and after the demonstrations or performances only in approved locations. 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 concealed, and must be removed from the convention premises immediately following the performances or demonstrations. Weapons Check / Security and the management of Omni Fandom Expo reserve the right to stop any performance or demonstration at its discretion.

USE OF UNIFORMED COSTUMES:

Omni Fandom Expo has the sole discretion and absolute right to determine whether a uniformed costume is permitted or too close to a real world uniform and to ask any attendee who is wearing it to adjust it or remove it. In the event the attendee does not cooperate with that request, Omni Fandom Expo may expel the person from the convention.

COSTUMES THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT OMNI FANDOM EXPO!

INSPECTIONS OF PROPERTY:

Omni Fandom Expo attendees understand, agree and consent that Weapons Check, Omni Fandom Expo representatives, or Security personnel throughout Omni Fandom Expo, have the absolute and immediate right to inspect costumes, weapons, props, prop weapons, futuristic props, and any other items brought into the convention space by any Attendee at any time for any reason.

Weapons Check, Security or Omni Fandom Expo personnel may determine whether any particular item covered by this policy is or is not permitted at Omni Fandom Expo. If it is discovered that an Attendee brought any unauthorized prop/weapon to Omni Fandom Expo, or violates any of the policies referenced above, that person shall be immediately removed from the convention space. Omni Fandom Expo reserves the right to remove the such offenders from the premises, temporarily or permanently.

PERSONS WHO CARRY OR OTHERWISE BRING PROPS, PROP WEAPONS, FUTURISTIC REPLICAS, DO SO AT THEIR OWN, SOLE, AND ABSOLUTE RISK, AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF LIABILITY, HARM, DAMAGE, OR LOSS TO ANY PERSON OR PROPERTY INJURED OR OTHERWISE HARMED, INTENTIONALLY OR ACCIDENTLY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY SUCH ITEMS OR THE PERSON CARRYING THEM. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT ANY PERSONS WHO WEAR MILITARY OR REAL WORLD COSTUMES OR SIMILAR ITEMS WHICH MAY DEPICT A MEMBER OF ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, OR ANY UNIFORM THAT MAY POTENTIALLY OR POSSIBLY CAUSE CONFUSION, FEAR, OR TERROR DO SO AT THEIR OWN, SOLE, AND ABSOLUTE RISK, AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF LIABILITY, HARM, DAMAGE, OR LOSS TO ANY PERSON OR PROPERTY INJURED OR OTHERWISE HARMED, INTENTIONALLY OR ACCIDENTLY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY SUCH ITEMS OR THE PERSON CARRYING THEM. IT IS HEREBY AGREED THAT OMNI PRODUCTIONS, LLC., ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES, OR THE OFFICIAL HOTEL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY, HARM, DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER RISK OR LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY PERSON’S USE OF ANY WEAPON, REPLICA, OR PROP, WHETHER PERMITTED OR BANNED HEREUNDER, AT OMNI FANDOM EXPO. IN NO EVENT SHALL OMNI FANDOM EXPO, OMNI PRODUCTIONS, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES, OR THE OFFICIAL HOTEL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES HEREUNDER.

BY ATTENDING OMNI FANDOM EXPO, ATTENDEE WILL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD OMNI PRODUCTIONS, LLC. AND ITS AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES AND THE OFFICIAL HOTEL AND ITS AFFILIATES HARMLESS FOR ALL LOSSES, COSTS, LIABILITIES AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS) ARISING OUT OF ANY CLAIM FOR PAYMENT BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY MAKING ANY CLAIM FOR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY ACT OR EVENT AT THE OMNI FANDOM EXPO.