Live steel is not permitted at Anime USA. Live steel is defined as swords, knives, or other objects made of metal, which can take an edge. Dull metal weapons are considered live steel, and therefore are not permitted.

Guns and projectile weapons of any kind are not permitted at Anime USA. Examples of guns and projectile weapons include, but are not limited to, live guns, replicas of live guns, pellet guns, BB guns, air guns, crossbows, dart guns, blowguns, and water guns. Prop guns that are easily identifiable as toys, provided they possess no moving parts and are clearly marked with a non-removable orange tip, will be allowed.

Flail weapons are not permitted. Examples of flail weapons include, but are not limited to, whips, floggers, maces, nunchaku, and any weapon with attached moving parts.

Incendiary devices are not permitted at Anime USA. All devices which spark, shoot flame, burn, smolder, can otherwise self-initiate combustion, or which exist for no purpose other than to be lit with a combustion device, are considered incendiary devices.

Attendees found to be carrying illegal weapons will be immediately reported to appropriate authorities.

Staves, bo sticks, boken, shinai, and wooden swords are considered “prop weapons” and are permitted at Anime USA, so long as they are ornamental and are in no way used as offensive or defensive weapons.

Fake, prop, or homemade weapons are permitted if they are in no way dangerous to attendees. Anime USA Staff will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a fake, prop, or homemade weapon is dangerous. Staff decision will be final.

All carried fake, prop, or homemade weapons are subject to examination at any time by Anime USA Staff. Anime USA Staff is not liable for damage to fake, prop, or homemade weapons during inspection.

If an attendee is found to be using any weapon, prop, or weaponlike object in an unsafe manner, Anime USA reserves the right to immediately expel the attendee from the convention and to revoke convention membership.

Any weapon purchased in the Dealer Room must be securely packaged and immediately removed from convention space, and must not be brought back into convention space for the duration of Anime USA. Weapons are not to be taken out of their packaging or wrapping at any time over the course of Anime USA.