Convention Prop & Costume Weapon Policy

Convention Prop & Costume Weapon Policy

Purpose

Trinverse Productions Inc. is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where attendees can celebrate creativity through cosplay and costuming.

This policy exists to balance artistic expression with the safety of attendees, volunteers, staff, venue personnel, and the public. All attendees are responsible for ensuring their costumes and props comply with this policy, venue rules, and all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in the item being denied entry, removal from the event, revocation of admission without refund, and/or notification of law enforcement where appropriate.

Prop Inspection & Peace Bonding

All costume props, replica weapons, and weapon-like items must be inspected before entering the event.

Approved items will receive an official Peace Bond indicating they have been inspected.

  • Peace Bonds must remain visible and attached while inside the event.
  • Props may be reinspected at any time.
  • Peace Bonds may differ each event or each day.
  • Removing or tampering with a Peace Bond may require the item to be reinspected.

Trinverse Productions reserves the right to refuse any item that staff believe may present a safety risk or negatively impact the event experience.

General Rules

While attending the event:

  • Props are part of a costume—not toys.
  • Never swing, strike, point, brandish, or use a prop in a threatening or unsafe manner.
  • Respect personal space.
  • Obtain permission before posing closely with another attendee.
  • Do not block aisles or emergency exits.
  • Follow all directions given by Event Staff, Security, Volunteers, and Venue Personnel.

Any prop used in an unsafe, reckless, intimidating, or aggressive manner may result in immediate removal from the event.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted inside any Trinverse Productions event.

Real Weapons

Including but not limited to:

  • Firearms
  • Handguns
  • Rifles
  • Shotguns
  • Crossbows
  • Functional bows
  • Ammunition
  • Tasers
  • Stun devices
  • Pepper spray
  • Bear spray
  • Conducted energy weapons
  • Slingshots
  • Brass knuckles
  • Switchblades
  • Illegal weapons prohibited under Canadian law

Functional Replica Weapons

Including:

  • Airsoft guns
  • Paintball markers
  • BB guns
  • Pellet guns
  • Functional cap guns
  • Any replica capable of firing a projectile

Dangerous Materials

Props primarily constructed from:

  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Ceramic
  • Concrete
  • Stone

Hazardous Items

  • Explosives
  • Fireworks
  • Smoke devices
  • Pyrotechnics
  • Open flames
  • Fuel
  • Compressed gas
  • Chemical irritants
  • Dry ice effects
  • Live electrical arcs
  • Functional lasers capable of projecting beams

Functional Weapons

Including:

  • Sharpened blades
  • Metal swords
  • Metal knives
  • Spears
  • Axes
  • Throwing weapons
  • Nunchaku
  • Whips
  • Functional martial arts weapons

Other Prohibited Items

  • Metal-tipped arrows or bolts
  • Functional restraints (including handcuffs)
  • Heavy chains capable of being swung
  • Oversized props deemed unsafe
  • Props creating excessive noise
  • Offensive or discriminatory props or signage
  • Yaoi/Yuri paddles

Generally Permitted Materials

The following materials are generally acceptable:

  • EVA Foam
  • Upholstery foam
  • Craft foam
  • Worbla
  • Thermoplastics
  • PVC
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Fabric
  • Rubber
  • Resin
  • Lightweight wood (case-by-case)

Small decorative metal components may be permitted where they do not create a safety concern.

Replica Firearms

Replica firearms may be permitted only if they satisfy all of the following:

  • Clearly non-functional
  • Cannot fire any projectile
  • No gas, CO₂, batteries, or firing mechanism
  • Empty of ammunition
  • Bright orange safety tip or permanently altered to clearly indicate it is a prop
  • Not carried in a manner intended to alarm or intimidate

Staff may deny any replica firearm that appears overly realistic.

Bladed Props

Bladed cosplay props must:

  • Be made from foam, rubber, plastic, resin, or similar lightweight materials
  • Have blunt edges and points
  • Be incapable of causing injury during normal handling

Metal blades are prohibited regardless of whether they are sharpened.

Bows, Crossbows & Arrows

Permitted only when:

  • The bow is unstrung, OR
  • The draw mechanism has been permanently disabled

Additionally:

  • No functional crossbows
  • No metal arrowheads
  • No sharpened tips
  • Arrows must be bundled or secured when not being photographed

Oversized Props

Large props may be refused if they:

  • Block walkways
  • Interfere with emergency exits
  • Create crowd hazards
  • Cannot safely fit through doorways
  • Cannot safely be carried by the attendee

Staff may request oversized props remain in designated cosplay areas.

Purchased Props

Props purchased from vendors during the event remain subject to this policy.

Items requiring inspection must be Peace Bonded before being carried throughout the event.

Transportation

Please transport props responsibly.

When travelling to and from the venue:

  • Keep props secured whenever possible.
  • Do not openly display realistic weapons in public.
  • Follow all applicable transportation and public safety laws.

Trinverse Productions is not responsible for interactions with law enforcement or the public resulting from transportation of props outside the event.

Enforcement

Staff may:

  • Inspect any prop
  • Request additional inspection
  • Refuse any item
  • Require an item be removed from the venue
  • Require an item be checked into coat check (where available)
  • Confiscate Peace Bonds
  • Remove attendees violating this policy

Serious or repeated violations may result in:

  • Removal from the event
  • Revocation of admission without refund
  • Suspension from future events
  • Referral to venue security or law enforcement where appropriate

Final Authority

This policy cannot anticipate every costume or prop.

For the safety of all attendees, Trinverse Productions Inc. reserves the right to make final decisions regarding the suitability of any costume, prop, or replica weapon. Decisions made by Event Management regarding event safety are final.

We love cosplay and the incredible creativity our community brings to every event. Our goal is not to limit your imagination, but to ensure everyone can enjoy the event safely. If you’re unsure whether a prop complies with this policy, we encourage you to contact us before the event. We’re happy to work with you to find safe alternatives that let your costume shine while keeping our community welcoming for everyone.