Weapon is defined as any item or object that the Criminal Code, crew members, or Caesars Windsor staff (if and where applicable) considers to be a weapon. 

Prohibited and/or Illegal Weapon is illegal to be possessed, displayed, or sold in Canada. Illegal weapons must be immediately removed from the convention centre. The Northern National reserves the right to notify law enforcement agencies if an illegal weapon is brought into the convention. 

Inadmissible Weapon is a non-prohibited legal weapon that has been examined by crew members and may not be brought into the convention. A legal weapon may still be considered inadmissible at the Northern National (e.g., a metal sword) and must be immediately removed from the convention. Some weapons sold by exhibitors are prohibited and are subject to the procedures in the Special Circumstances section below. 

Admissible Weapon is a weapon that has been examined by crew members and may be brought into the convention. 

Cosplay Prop Check (Weapons Check) is the area at the Northern National where all items that may be considered weapons are inspected by crew members and determined to be prohibited, inadmissible, or admissible.

Examples of Prohibited and/or illegal Weapons 

If it is illegal outside the convention, it is illegal inside the convention and therefore banned from the Northern National. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Firearms of any kind.
• Bali-song (“butterfly knife”) or switchblade/drop blade style knives.
• Brass knuckles or knives/blades attached to brass knuckles.
• Spiked wristbands.
• Morning Stars or Flails.
• Concealed knives or blades in normally innocuous items that are less than 30 cm in length.
• Hand crossbows.
• Pyrotechnical items, metal objects, or projectiles.
• Nunchucks, tonfas, shurikens, or similarly prohibited martial arts weapons (foam replicas of these items are admissible).
• Law enforcement items such as batons, tasers, or mace.
• Arrows, bolts, and other projectiles used in bows, crossbows, or slingshots.

Special Note: Although some types of cane swords, umbrella swords, and similar items may not be prohibited in Canada, ALL such items are banned from display, sale, or possession at the Northern National.

Please review the Canada Border Services Agency’s and Justice Canada’s information regarding prohibited weapons.

The following list provides some examples of Inadmissible Weapons. The Northern National reserves the right to determine the admissibility of any item or weapon. 

Projectile Weapons

• Airsoft pistols, rifles, or other similar devices.
• Pellet guns, BB guns, or similar devices.
• Flintlock or muzzle-loading weapons or similar devices (which are not considered “firearms” under the law).
• Decommissioned firearms of any kind.
• Replica firearms made from metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber. Imitations are allowed if made of acceptable materials and non-firing(e.g., a musket that does not have the proper firing chamber or a pistol that is without a bored barrel).
• Any prop, item, or weapon that can fire any projectile or powder charge. Orange safety tips must be on projectile weapons at the convention unless they are being used for pictures or a competition. Put it back on when you move.
• Nerf guns and other foam dart guns are admissible without foam darts.
• Bows, crossbows (but not hand crossbows which are Illegal Weapons), and slingshots are allowed but only if they are de-strung or strung with light string, yarn, or similar material and cannot fire a projectile.
• Arrows, bolts, and other projectiles used in bows, crossbows, or slingshots. 

Swords, Blades, Knives, and other Melee Weapons

• Hard plastic replica weapons made from polypropylene or similar items.
• Cane swords, umbrella swords, or similar items.
• Metal swords, metal knives, and other active martial arts weapons.
• Metal weapons purchased at the convention are subject to policies in the Special Circumstances section below.
• Metal chains or similar items.
• Costume swords are admissible if secured so they cannot be drawn.
• Blunt weapons made of wood, hard plastic, or metal, such as baseball bats, cricket bats, and hockey sticks.
• Butterfly trainers. 

Shields and Armour

• Wooden, plastic, and metal shields must have no sharp edges, metal, wood, hard plastic spikes, other protrusions, or other hazardous features.
• Armour with sharp metal edges, metal, wood, hard plastic spikes, or other protrusions are prohibited. 

Light Sabers

• Light Sabers without glass blades or bulbs are permitted. 

Wheeled/Tracked/Jumping Devices

• Skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, unicycles, bicycles, hoverboards, scooters, and similar devices.
• Pogo sticks, spring shoes, jumping shoes, kangaroo shoes, and similar devices. 

Prop Weight, Shape, and Material Restrictions

• Any items with sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight, or any other features that are deemed dangerous to others by the Northern National.
• Northern National reserves the right to prohibit heavy items on a case-by-case basis.

Lasers

• The Northern National prohibits all laser pointers at the convention. If a prop or weapon includes a laser pointer, it must be rendered non-functioning (e.g., batteries must be removed).

Inadmissible Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

Inadmissible weapons on display and/or being sold by exhibitors must be safely secured to the display surface if they are within reach of attendees (i.e., attendees must not be able to pick up the weapons). As part of normal shopping behavior, attendees are permitted to handle inadmissible weapons under the direct supervision of the exhibitor.

Exhibitors may only display (including under-the-counter displays and items stored out of sight) or sell weapons or any other items that are permitted to be sold by all applicable provincial and federal laws and regulations.

The sale of an Inadmissible Weapon to anyone under 18 years of age is strictly prohibited.

Exhibitors may only sell items to persons who are legally entitled to purchase and/or possess the weapon or item.

The display or sale of prohibited (illegal) weapons or items may result in an exhibitor being removed from the convention and/or other actions deemed appropriate by the Northern National. 

Demonstrations

For safety reasons, exhibitors must conduct demonstrations of inadmissible weapons or other items behind the counter, table, or within the allotted booth space. 

After the Sale

Once a weapon has been sold, it must be securely wrapped in thick paper or cardboard and cannot be taken out of its packaging at the convention. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to inform attendees of the requirement to keep their purchased weapons securely wrapped while at the convention or they will be confiscated. 

Admissible Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

Exhibitors must inform attendees purchasing the weapon to bring it to the Weapons Check at the entrance and have it tagged as an admissible weapon. Exhibitors are required to explain to attendees that if the weapon is not tagged it may be confiscated.

Exhibitors must have prior approval from the Northern National to arrange for mock battles to show off their LARP weapons during convention hours anywhere on the convention site. Requests should be directed to cosplay@thenorthernnational.com

Exhibitors are reminded that all participants in mock battles must not damage the convention centre, the Northern National, or other exhibitor property and must be extremely careful not to endanger or injure bystanders.