The costumes/weapons rules read as follows:   No working weapons are allowed to be carried, openly or concealed, at any time in the convention space. These include, but are not limited to: swords, daggers, pole arms, staffs, bows, katanas, wooden replicas, BB guns, pellet guns, cap guns, air-soft weapons, water guns, paintball guns, blow guns, squirt guns, or any other projectile item.

My cosplay for this year (Selene) requires that I wear a Beretta in a holster on my thigh.  I could go without but they are kinda important to the character.

What is the best way to comply with the rules but keep my guns?  I found some super cheap but really realistic toy replicas that I could remove the triggers from or even cut the barrels down on so as to render them useless.  Would that work?  My neighbor even suggested that I could cut away all parts of the guns except the part that shows outside the holsters and hot glue them into the holsters.  Am I making this way to hard on myself?

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

I would suggest the hot-glue option but with one adjustment. 

Save the holsters; get some styrofoam and carve it to shape and fit it to the holsters.  Then cut away the parts of the gun that don't show (prob just the barrels) and glue that to the styrofoam.  This way you can keep the holsters for another costume project.

Stormy, last year it was stated that look-alike weapons, or anything that may be confused for a weapon was not allowed and from what I saw and heard, it was haphazardly applied.

I saw folks with staves walking around without a problem and I saw someone who had oversized foam handles sticking out of normal sized scabbards get harrassed.  So, the long and the short of it is some got by and some didn't.  There is seldom any reasoning applied to rules like these because they generally start from someone wanting to ban any resemblance or possiblility of weapon from the whole con. 

Last year I came as Little John and since everyone knows LJ carried and used a staff, to avoid any possiblity of getting kicked out I carried a piece of cardboard painted white with the words, "Gen Con Security Approved Staff".  I garnered a few dirty looks from a few members of security staff and a few laughs from attendees, but kept me from getting harrassed. 

Are you willing to take a chance on getting kicked out without refund?  That is the ultimate punishment and there is no trial, just the security staff member's mood to determine what happens if they think you are in violation of the rule.

Is it stupid? Yes.  Is it unfair?  Yes.  Has there ever been a problem?  No.  How well are the staff trained?  Ask the guy who tried to stop the costume parade last year because he couldn't see everyone's badges clearly.

Note:  The preceeding was based on my experience, observations, and opinions.  Those who agree with this insane policy will have a much different take and may even believe that taking your shoes off in an airport makes you safer. 

I definitely remember you from last year, you and your crew were a hoot!   I have your costume contest routine saved from YouTube. 

I kinda figured if I try the cut up replica/foam idea (thanks Braelun!) and then waltz up to the first security person I see when I hit the doors to beg for something that looks like official approval, I might be ok.   If I have to toss the gun and holster, I'm only out about $20.  However, the gun really needs to be part of the costume so I'm fairly willing to take a chance.  It might not hurt that I'll have 4 young cosplayers in tow.  Surely they wouldn't toss out the chaperone and upset the kiddies?

Stormy1:

I definitely remember you from last year, you and your crew were a hoot!   I have your costume contest routine saved from YouTube. 

I kinda figured if I try the cut up replica/foam idea (thanks Braelun!) and then waltz up to the first security person I see when I hit the doors to beg for something that looks like official approval, I might be ok.   If I have to toss the gun and holster, I'm only out about $20.  However, the gun really needs to be part of the costume so I'm fairly willing to take a chance.  It might not hurt that I'll have 4 young cosplayers in tow.  Surely they wouldn't toss out the chaperone and upset the kiddies?

To be honest with you, it's fairly unlikely that you're going to be thrown out without a refund for carrying that sort of fake/replica weapon.  The most you will probably be asked to do is, if it looks too close to real, will be that you are asked to remove it from the convention area.  Yes Gen Con can throw people out of the convention without a refund, and has, but it's not going to be for someone who has a replica that is a little too close to real for some people, and who is cooperative when asked to remove the item.

If you for instance wore a modern military uniform and a realistic looking sidearm and were brandishing it for instance and actually scaring people, that's definitely a much more serious situation.  But if you're carrying a fake gun, it's really just a matter of how "fake" it looks, and that is up to the security people's judgment.  Regardless, as long as you comply with their requests (to peacebond it or remove it or what have you), I think the chances of you being "thrown out" of the convention are extremely remote.

Occasionally, I've seen a table set up near the info booth where you can have your fake weapons checked and/or peace bonded; you might want to look and see if they are having that when you get to the convention center.

Stormy1:

I kinda figured if I try the cut up replica/foam idea (thanks Braelun!) and then waltz up to the first security person I see when I hit the doors to beg for something that looks like official approval, I might be ok.   If I have to toss the gun and holster, I'm only out about $20.  However, the gun really needs to be part of the costume so I'm fairly willing to take a chance.  It might not hurt that I'll have 4 young cosplayers in tow.  Surely they wouldn't toss out the chaperone and upset the kiddies?

You're welcome. 

I was actually going to try that same procedure for a costume last year.  Like Mari said, they're not going to toss you out.  Another thing you could do (and I'd keep this as a backup) if it's not too expensive, is make a second set of guns and before you put them together, spray paint them orange.  This way, if they don't approve the first set because they are colored too realistically, you can offer the orange backups as a type of compromise.  And you still get to keep the integrity of your costume.

Since everyone is subject to the same rules for the contest, everyone will understand if you're not 100% in character.

Last year I emailed security in advance with photos.  We had a weapon in our group which is totally non-functional and is in fact constructed of complete junk -- including toilet parts.  :-)  However, security complimented the workmanship but stated that it was too realistic for hall use.  No problem; we left the rifle at home.  But asking in advance saved us trouble.

I found the staff very helpful and appreciative of our efforts to be compliant.

I like the emergency backup weapons suggestion.  Good thinking!

(This was our item in question, if anyone's interested.  Up close, it's obviously fake -- it weighs only a few ounces -- but in passing it's less obvious, which was the reason for rejection.  I had to recall that unlike most of the cons I frequent, Gen Con spills over into much more of the "real world" where people aren't expecting to see a lot of fake weapons, hence the greater sensitivity.  Forgive the ugly coloring of the photo.)

I agree the rule is not applied evenly. My first year at eh con I bought one of those real godlooking foam swords. I member of the hall cops told me I had to take it to my room or the car because it looked too real. I thought this was absured as they had several dealers that year selling real blades, and every five minutes I saws someone with the same thing I had to remove. Good luck and I hope you win the contest.

One of the Wizard World Chicago's I attended, a person came dressed as the Punisher.  He had about three pistols on him, a knife, some grenades and two assault rifles.  Basically, he was the cover of one of the Punisher comic books.  Around lunchtime, we went to the local McDonalds down the street.  I guess the Punisher got hungry too because he headed there.

In costume.

In Chicago.

Past two cop cars.

He went back to the convention slightly "less" in costume.  They had him jacked up for about 30 minutes.  So, like HaganeHakushaku said, no matter how fake they look up close, it can still be disconcerting to the "norms" wandering around.

marimacc:

Occasionally, I've seen a table set up near the info booth where you can have your fake weapons checked and/or peace bonded; you might want to look and see if they are having that when you get to the convention center.

The sad thing is, you're often better off NOT asking and drawing attention to yourself: it forces people to make a decision and most of them only have the power to say "No". I'm still peeved about my friend (dressed as Darth Maul) being harassed THREE TIMES during the Reaper Speed Painting Event by goons doing badge checks. Amazing how a touch of "authority" will make a complete jerk out of so many folks.

Keep a low profile (i.e. don't run around pointing your sidearm in people's faces) and you'll probably be alright.

How does the staff feel about bows? I'm not talking about knocked bows, of course.. But Hawkeye requires a bow. I won't be carrying the sword since that's just asking for trouble. But the bow is VITAL to the character. What can I do to make sure I can walk around safely. Of course it'd be ideal to use the arrows and knock it. Would it be possible to have an arrow knocked as long as it was only an arrow shaft and NO TIP/ARROW HEAD?

It's good (ish) to find someone else with my type of dilemma.  Selene needs her gun(s).  A holster without one would just look silly and out of place. Unfortunately, I'll probably be stuck with a flourescent orange, hacked up squirt gun to be safe even though it will look stupid as h*ll.

 I hope you can find a workable solution for your costume.  I've kind of given up on my daywear and decided to focus on my Steampunk stuff for the dance.  Of course there is always the chance that gadgets and gears might be thought of as weapons of mass destruction... 

My group of kids that I'm bringing with me said this:  If the world is so frickin bad that we geeks have to be policed for our fake cosplay weapons, this world is in a whole lot worse shape than we thought.

Good luck! 

 A couple of things to pointout;

If you get the fake weapons 'peacebonded' they will be marked and the rest of the security staff will leave you alone. Although they make 'inspect' your sidearms just to be sure someone else has approved them.

Also, for the costume contest, they tend to be a little less ... retentive about weapon-mockups ... translation - if you are going to the contest to check-in, then during the 'parade' and rest of the contest, they will generally - most likely leave you be. Within a resonable time afterwards the regular rules go back into place however. The long and short of it -- just tell them what's up on contest day - the rest of the time, use the 'faker looking' weapons.

Just so you know this tidbit does not come from someone who is guessing, I've had to be mindful of security and peacebonding in the BG Hall for 5 years now. I may not know every single detail of the security routine every year, but the suggestions above will work with consistency based on the minimum level of security protocols in every year for the last 5. 

 Bring the bow UNSTRUNG, use something flimsy if you must have a 'string' present.

This means you'll have the bow in hand most of the time, unless you can find a holster of some sort to use. 

Unstrung even if I don't have any arrows in it...? 

Someone had mentioned perhaps glueing them into the holsters, I would think that would work for plastic guns. I can't see why you would have to use orange ones.

raeliste:

Unstrung even if I don't have any arrows in it...? 

Yes. The string itself could be dangerous, if misused, hence the policy of no actual weapons. The bow itself, would be considered much like a staff I imagine, but add a thin strong string under a great degree of tension and there is a potential for damage to others, if used improperly.

Unfortunately, like most good folk that go to the show, are being scrutinized now for the mistakes of others in the past. Please understand the rules are not there for the majority to be burdened, but to protect the majority.

My suggestion, bring the string for the costume contest, just take it off before entering public areas. 

Could you replace the string with some wire that is rigid enough to bend the bow but not be drawn? That would let you hang the bow on your shoulder or nock an arrow but not capable of being fired.

Noffham:

Could you replace the string with some wire that is rigid enough to bend the bow but not be drawn? That would let you hang the bow on your shoulder or nock an arrow but not capable of being fired.

I'd have problems with anything that was strong enough to flex the bow and flexible enough to be bent to more than inch. Perhaps some straight steel rod (1/8 if an inch?), measured and threaded to hold eye-rings on the ends to flex the bow would work. The steel rod would not be flexible enough to do anything but bend, essentially 'locking' the bow in a single position, and it could be painted to a straw or white or whatever color is desired.

You be able to shoulder the bow, and even 'nock' and arrow for photos with a fairly authentic look. I'd still be really careful about where these photo op's happen. Even an arrow with no tip of any kind could be dangerous in a crowd.

Please note while the above would be acceptable to me, it is ultimately up to the Security forces to make the final call. I can see where some might allow the bow with this setup, and NOT allow any arrows as well ... despite some folks advice about not asking first, I'd ask first, perhaps make the modifications and take a photo to show to Security before the show for their more 'expert' opinion.

I think we are essentially saying the same thing Lee.  I would also add that any arrows should have nothing on the "business" ends but foam. Even a stick with no arrow-head can be dangerous without some sort of foam covering.

Just my 2 coppers.