Policies

Bold terms in this policy are further explained in the DEFINITIONS section at the end of this document.

1. All weapons and props must be brought to the prop check station for inspection by staff. Any item(s) as well as some costumes may warrant inspection as well. The prop check station will assess any problems on site and on a case by case basis. Staff will also be happy to answer any questions regarding these items.
2. Bladed weapons must be sheathed and peace-bonded and may not be drawn at any time during the convention. Items with real blades are not allowed.
3. Real firearms are not allowed, nor are working projectile weapons. This may include, but is not limited to, toy water guns as well as bubbles.
4. Realistic-looking firearms and realistic-looking bladed weapons must be holstered/sheathed and peace-bonded into a sheath(s) or holster(s). They may not be drawn at any time during the convention. If the item(s) cannot be peace-bonded they will not be allowed. 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 guarantee permittance.
5. Nonrealistic-looking firearms and nonrealistic-looking bladed weapons must be peace-marked. However, we prefer that they be holstered/sheathed and peace-bonded when possible.
6. Large props must be peace-marked.
7. Costumes exhibiting paraphernalia of any military unit in existence after January 1900 or any replica of such will NOT be permitted. Exceptions for individuals on active military duty wearing their respective uniforms may be made; these individuals may be asked to show military identification. Note: This includes law enforcement from all branches of government.

The staff at our comic-con reserve the right to amend these policies without prior notice and any ruling made by the staff is final. The staff reserves the right to verify peace-bonding and peace-marking at any time during the convention.

Definitions:

• Bladed Weapon: Any weapon with a metal edge, or an edge capable of cutting or inflicting significant damage. Some examples of bladed weapons would be swords, knives, bokkens, and shuriken.
• Large Prop: Any costume accessory deemed to be a potential nuisance by staff given its height, girth, and/or weight. Some examples of large props could be staffs or oversized shields.
• Nonrealistic-Looking Bladed Weapon: A toy, look-alike, or imitation bladed weapon that does not duplicate a real bladed weapon and cannot be perceived to be one. Nonrealistic-looking bladed weapons have their edges and tips blunted, and are constructed of a non-metallic material. Other features that can identify a bladed weapon as nonrealistic-looking can include a greatly exaggerated size, or a principal color that is not black, blue, silver, or gray. (The comic-con staff reserves the authority to determine whether a weapon qualifies as nonrealistic-looking.) Some examples of nonrealistic-looking bladed weapons would be those made from a material such as paper mache, fiberglass, or foam.
• Nonrealistic-Looking Firearm: A toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm that does not duplicate a real firearm and cannot be perceived to be one. Nonrealistic-looking firearms are preferably identified by a blaze orange marking permanently affixed firearm’s barrel, and roughly ¼ inch in length. Other features that can identify a firearm as nonrealistic-looking can include a greatly exaggerated size, or a principal color that is not black, blue, silver, or gray. (The comic-con staff reserves the authority to determine whether a weapon qualifies as nonrealistic-looking.) Some examples of nonrealistic-looking firearms would be those with the blaze orange marking described above: Vash the Stampede’s huge handgun or Milly’s stun gun from Trigun
• Peace-Bonding: A peace-bonded weapon is one tied to its sheath, holster, or container with a functional binding. It prevents someone else from taking your weapon without permission, and is a traditional and visible sign to everyone that you are a responsible person. Bonding material is available at the prop check station.
• Peace-Marking: Nonrealistic-looking firearms, nonrealistic-looking bladed weapons, and large props will have peace-bonding material tied to the weapon as a visible sign that it has been checked and approved by the Operations staff. Marking material is available at the prop check station.
• Projectile Weapons: If it projects a solid, liquid, gas, or energy, it is considered a working projectile weapon. Laser-lights emit energy that can be damaging to the eyes, so they are working projectile weapons. Toys such as Nerf guns and water pistols are considered projectile weapons, but if they are holstered and peace-bonded or peace-marked according to rules #4 or #5, and they are incapable of being loaded or fired, they are allowed.
• Real Firearm: Any weapon for which a permit is required to carry and/or from which a shot is fired by the force of an explosion or pressurized air. Some examples of real firearms would be pellet guns, B-B guns, paintball guns, handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
• Realistic-Looking Bladed Weapon: A toy, look-alike, or imitation bladed weapon having the general appearance, shape, and/or configuration of a real bladed weapon. Some examples of realistic-looking bladed weapons would be theatrical props, collector replicas, or toy swords/knives that appear similar to real bladed weapons.
• Realistic-Looking Firearm: A toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm having the general appearance, shape, and/or configuration of a real firearm. Some examples of realistic-looking firearms would be theatrical props, collector replicas, or toy guns that appear similar to real firearms.

All attendees to RodCon must adhere to University policies.  The relevant university policies include:

The university is a Smoke Free Campus.

Personal Conduct Rules

Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy

By participating in the RodCon, all participants agree to allow the Rod Library to use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video.