Weapons Policy

weapons policy

Huntington Comic & Toy Convention dedicates itself to the safety and security of ALL attendees. To that end, we are implementing the following weapons policy, effective immediately. Huntington Comic & Toy Convention has the cooperation of the Mountain Health Arena and the Cabell County Police Department on the policy.
Please read this entire policy before attending the convention. Failure to follow this policy may result in your convention removal, up to and including without refund.
The Huntington Comic & Toy Convention prohibits weapons from being carried inside the event.
All attendees must adhere to WEST VIRGINIA State Law consistently throughout the weekend of the convention, including laws regarding firearms and weapons. Use common sense and remember what seems harmless to you may appear like a threat to someone else.
METAL DETECTORS IN USE: Please note that this year, attendees will be screened with magnetometers and be subject to a search of all bags and their person via a wand. Any items found that do not comply with this policy will impede your entry into the convention. You will go through screening each time you leave and re-enter ticketed space.
In regards to prop weapons, we consider homemade or commercially rendered costume prop weapons to support the overall look of a costume or character, including futuristic prop weapons made to look like phasers, ray guns, lightsabers, etc.
Prop weapons will be allowed, provided the composition of cardboard, foam, wood, lightweight plastic, or other light materials.
Nothing that looks like a real gun is allowed.
Bows and crossbows will only be permitted if they are decorations in nature. No tension on the string beyond what it takes to keep it straight, and arrows should not have any form of a tip. You are NOT permitted to bring any arrows with metal tips into the event under ANY circumstances.
No items can have sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight, or any other features that could be deemed dangerous to others.
Prop weapon check occurs at the “Prop Inspection Point” on Level 3 (Hyatt Lobby Level) upon arrival. Staff inspects the prop and issues a sticker or band. Place the approval seal in/on a visible area on the prop. PLEASE HAVE TO YOUR PROP INSPECTED BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE MAGNETOMETERS! EVERY prop will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Staff may ask to take further measures to make the prop safe before approval. Be prepared for this contingency. Approved prop stickers/bands must be visible on your prop at all times. Removing the prop sticker/band violates the Weapons Policy and results in immediate expulsion from the convention. Staff may revoke any approved prop weapon at any time, at the discretion of the convention center or convention security staff. Reasons for this may include, but are not limited to, the item's utilization or brandished inappropriately or if complaints were received regarding its improper display.
The following items are NOT ALLOWED at Huntington Comic & Toy Convention:
NO functioning live firearms. This includes modern guns, hunting guns, historic guns, airsoft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns, and pellet guns.
CCDW Permit holders, please leave your weapons secured outside of the show.
NO realistic replica firearms. This includes reproduction, fake, or toy guns that can be confused for functional firearms – either metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber. Futuristic-looking space guns or blasters are fine, albeit they are not easily confused with a real gun.
NO functional projectile weapons. This includes NERF guns of any kind, blowguns, functioning crossbows, functioning long bows, silly string, slingshots, water balloons, and water guns. No props or weapons capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind.
NO sharpened metal-bladed weapons. This includes axes, daggers, hatchets, knives, kunai, shuriken, swords, sword canes, and switchblades. Anything with a sharp edge would fall into this category.
NO explosives. This includes firecrackers and fireworks.
NO chemical weapons. This includes mace and pepper spray.
NO blunt weapons. This includes brass knuckles, clubs, and nunchaku.
NO hard prop weapons. This includes props made of metal, fiberglass, or glass. LIGHTSABERS ARE OK.
NO laser pointers. If you have a laser pointer in your prop or weapon, make sure it cannot function by either removing the batteries or simply not bringing it.
NO items that cause excessive noise levels like vuvuzelas, grenade whistles, and grenade horns.
NO whips unless zip-tied and tagged as an unusable circle.
NO tasers.
Huntington Comic & Toy Convention reserves the right to refuse entry of any prop/weapon it deems unfit for any reason. Any misuse of a prop/weapon (horseplay, dueling, fighting, running/swinging, firing, etc.) is grounds for removal and or ejection from convention premises without recourse, up to and including legal action depending on the severity of the offense.
PLEASE NOTE that if you violate any of the above rules you WILL be asked to comply or to leave the convention. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are asked to leave by a member of the convention security team or staff, you are required to comply with their requests or risk intervention by law enforcement. These decisions are based on the discretion of the security or staff member you are dealing with at that exact moment.
Do not attempt to skirt these rules. Do not attempt to play games with security or staff. Use common sense. If you cannot abide by the rules, please stay home. We will not endanger or put any of our attendees at risk because you want to have a more authentic costume.
Huntington Comic & Toy Con reserves the right to amend or change these rules at any time for any reason to provide for the safety, security, and general wellbeing of attendees and the public.
Please note that this inspection process may slow your entry into the convention. We will be working diligently to screen everyone as swiftly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience but we are committed to attendee safety.