Effective Date: 1 April, 2018

Animaga Entertainment Pty Ltd (Animaga) reserves the right, at their discretion, to change and update this policy at any time without prior notice.

By participating in Animaga Events means that you have agreed to comply with this Weapons Policy. An “event” shall mean any event held by Animaga Entertainment Pty Ltd (Animaga) or Animaga Maid Cafe.

You also agree, that by attending the events that, for the safety of yourself and everyone at an Event, Animaga has the immediate right to inspect your costume, prop weapons, and any other item that you bring to the Event. Animaga reserves the right to temporarily or permanently remove any attendee at our discretion at any time for violation of this Weapons Policy, as the safety of you and all attendees at the event is of number one importance.

PROPS AND WEAPONS POLICY

Animaga may ask you to leave any large props and prop weapons with the staff in our cloakroom for the duration of the Event and only allow the use of the prop(s) during the Cosplay Competition.

Real Weapons are Prohibited

No real weapon of any kind is allowed into an Animaga Event, this includes but is not limited to: firearms, knives, any form of ammunition, any items designed or manufactured with the intent to cause harm. Even if such weapons are inoperable or unusable, and regardless of whether you are licensed to carry such weapon, it is a violation of this Weapons Policy if they are carried to any Events.

Examples of prohibited weapons according to Victorian Police:

Sword, butterfly sword, throwing stars, sai or hitta, nunchaku, cat o’ nine tails, studded gloves, knuckle duster, extendable batons, slingshot, taser, laser pointer, oleoresin capsicum spray, dart projector, imitation firearm, kubotan, manrikigusari, bo-chucks, baton-chucks, ceramic knives, butterfly knives, flick knives, body armour, concealed knife blade.

Prop Weapons Policy

Prop weapons are inoperable weapons that complement the look of your costume. Any prop weapon brought to an Event is subjected to “Weapons Check” by Animaga. Animaga reserves the right to deem whether the weapon is safe for the Event. Weapons Checks will happen at the main entrances of the event.

Animaga can change our decision to allow a prop to enter an Event if the prop is used in any manner that may bring harm to yourself, other attendees, or event staff. This includes play-fighting, swinging the weapons around, or hitting someone intentionally or not. Approval of the prop weapon into an Event can be also be revoked if complaints are received regarding the use of the prop weapon, or if the prop weapon is changed in a way that violates this policy after the weapon had been checked. This also includes any props that may have been purchased during the event.

If a prop weapon is, or potentially, capable of firing anything, it must be rendered permanently inoperable in order to be allowing into the event. This can be done by, for example, filling the barrel with glue, caulk, or another non-removable substance. You must be able to prove that the prop weapon is permanently inoperable.

In addition, to the rules above, your prop also must meet the following criteria:

• Your prop cannot be more than 2 metres long or weigh more than 7 kilograms
• Prop explosives cannot be made out of metal.
• Props cannot be made of metal.
• All swords or bladed martial arts prop weapons must be blunt-edged and cannot have any sort of cutting or sharpened edge.
• Prop metal swords must have a sheath and must remain in the sheath for the duration of the Event.
• All prop bows must be unstrung or have a low-tensile thread and be incapable of shooting.
• All prop arrows must have non-metal, blunted tips.
• Metal chains must be less than 30 centimetres long and no more than 3 centimetres thick.
• Non-metal chains must be a reasonable length so that is is not safety or fire hazard.

Toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm

In the state of Victoria, any device(s) that can be reasonably mistaken for a working firearm based on their appearance, despite not being functional, are classified as imitation of firearms and is a prohibited weapon.

Any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm must have a green or orange tip to be allowed into the Event. If your prop weapon is deemed to look like a working firearm and does not have such tip, Animaga and its associated personnel reserves the right to deny entry to the event or ask for its removal.

Please refer to the guide put out by the Victoria Police if you are unsure about what constitutes as prohibited.

Checked Prop and Prop Weapons at the Event.

Prop weapons can only be displayed as costume pieces. Do not swing or use your prop weapon in any way that could be considered unsafe or threatening. Animaga and its associated personnel may remove the prop or yourself if it is deemed that you pose danger to yourself, other attendees, or Animaga and its associated personnel.

Animaga is not responsible for any actions taken by local law enforcement, such as detaining and questioning you, if you decide to display or brandish your prop at or outside of the Event.

COSTUMES POLICY

Law Enforcement Uniformed Costumes Are Prohibited

COSTUMES THAT LOOK LIKE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE EVENT.

It is not safe to impersonate local law enforcement, emergency personnel, or first responders, as it may cause confusion. Animaga has the right to decide whether your costume looks too similar to law enforcement or emergency response personnel uniforms, and to request the removal or a modification of the costume. If you refuse to cooperate, Animaga may deny you entrance to the Event.

General Costume Rules:

• Costumes cannot be overly sexualised. Animaga asks our attendees to keep in mind that children as young as 2 years old attend our Events.
• No exposure of genitalia, buttocks or breasts is allowed.
• Appropriate footwear is required at all times.
• The soles of your feet should be covered at all times.
• Very large wings/attachments to your costume (that extend significantly past your width and height) are usually not allowed to be worn while in the exhibitor’s hall. They are to be left in the cloakroom and collected for the cosplay competition or photo booth.