Are there restrictions on costumes, aside from weapons? (helmets, vests, gas masks)

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guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

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I was wondering if there were any restrictions on the types of costumes that could be worn during Anthrocon, aside from too revealing, bondage/fetish related and what the weapons policy restricts?

To be specific, is it acceptable to wear a costume comprised of military/police accessories such as BDUs, tactical vest (patchless or without anything associating myself with law enforcement, swat helmet, gas mask, balaclava hood, boots and knee pads? (Basically resembling a swat uniform) I collect these items and have purchased them through cheaperthandirt.com.

I'm assuming from the weapons policy that carrying a riot baton and sheathed steel baton on a belt are not permitted. Would these items be permitted providing that they were peace bonded on the belt so they remain for "show and appeal" but not to be removed? Can they be worn on the belt only during the fursuit parade?
Are bullet shell type belts, without powder and intended for fashion, permitted?
Is it against the weapons policy to have hand cuffs worn on a belt, concealed in a cuff case?

I'd rather ask now so I don't run the risk of making others feel threatened or cause any trouble. Heh.
Thank you for your input Smiling

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Volknochi's picture
Location: Northern VA

I've seen fursuiters dressed up as SWAT police dogs, firefighters, etc. Uniforms are okay, but no weapons of any kind.

guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]

*nods* Understandable Smiling Thank you

Guyver47
Graphic Designer | Anthro Artist
guyver47.deviantart.com

Giza's picture
"100% usynlig - som en ninja!"

Location: Ardmore, PA

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You mean like these police accessories?

Fursuiter

As for the weapons, I'll let the DI handle that one.

 
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Dynamite's picture
"If you see this logo on the side of a truck, then you are being followed by THE WOLF!"

Location: Norton, MA

I've seen him quite a few times at AC 07, but I have no idea who he is. xD I personally don't think there is (hopefully I'm right) a problem with wearing official attire while in suit. However, out of suit might be a different story.... o.o But please don't quote me on any of this, as it is not my rule.

"Don't be a wierd boy." ~ Exile, Road Rovers

guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]

Yes, quite similar Smiling

Some examples:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/VEST102-681-1572.html (vest)
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/BJR548-2993-1896.html (similar helmet)
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/43984-10910-1195.html (thigh rig, but empty holster)
http://www.findcoolclothes.com/03104.html (bullet belt)

Guyver47
Graphic Designer | Anthro Artist
guyver47.deviantart.com

BlackJack's picture
Location: NYC

Well,
I'd go to "contact", get the email address, and email Security about
this. In the meantime, I can give you an unofficial opinion.
(I've also dialogued with them concerning props at AC.)

Quote:

I was wondering if there were any restrictions on the types of costumes that could be worn during Anthrocon, aside from too revealing, bondage/fetish related and what the weapons policy restricts?

To be specific, is it acceptable to wear a costume comprised of military/police accessories such as BDUs, tactical vest (patchless or without anything associating myself with law enforcement, swat helmet, gas mask, balaclava hood, boots and knee pads? (Basically resembling a swat uniform) I collect these items and have purchased them through cheaperthandirt.com.


There's no written policy concerning BDUs. The concerns for AC outfits are that they
not be overly revealing (violating public decency) and that they not pose a hazard
to others (parts that sweep out and may hit people are disapproved of.) A number
of people have pics of a furry last year who had a suit with military gear, including
what might have been a gas mask. The main concerns over balaclava and so on would be
your risk of overheating in the summer.
It is my opinion that the Dorsai will be ok with all of that treated as part of a
fursuit, and handled with the usual care.

Quote:
I'm assuming from the weapons policy that carrying a riot baton and sheathed steel baton on a belt are not permitted. Would these items be permitted providing that they were peace bonded on the belt so they remain for "show and appeal" but not to be removed? Can they be worn on the belt only during the fursuit parade?
Are bullet shell type belts, without powder and intended for fashion, permitted?
Is it against the weapons policy to have hand cuffs worn on a belt, concealed in a cuff case?

I never asked them about handcuffs, so I'm not making any guesses there.
The Security FAQ says the following:
Quote:
Can I carry a fake weapon at the con?

To avoid alarming anyone and to avoid any unnecessary injuries, we have a strict policy regarding weapons. No weapons, real OR artificial, can be carried at Anthrocon except as part of a masquerade skit (see the full Standards of Conduct for details). In short, if it looks like a weapon, we don't want you carrying it.

So, a FAKE riot baton would be completely prohibited. Obviously, a REAL riot baton is
out of the question. (Ditto the steel baton.)

AnthroCon has NO policy allowing for "peacebonding." (Go ahead, look for one.)
Therefore, the actual weaponsor fakes OF them- are not allowed except during a
skit at the Masquerade, and as approved specifically in advance as safe FOR use
in said skit. (They'll need proof you NEED it, AND to know EXACTLY what you're
doing with it, and to know you can be trusted under those circumstances.)
I'd save them time and just announce you're leaving the batons home, period.

So, I'd ask them to ok the general outfit and explain exactly how you want to
wear the handcuffs. I'd also expect they probably will disallow the handcuffs
on general principle (they're designed as a restraint device, and are made of
metal.)

Unclekage's picture
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I think that someone showing up in police riot gear might cause alarm to passersby. Without a fursuit, which makes it rather obvious that the gear is simply a costume, such attire might be misinterpreted by the general public. Let's not create any misunderstandings.

guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]

Yes, that same thought had crossed my mind as well. I agree that the lack of a fursuit, (a tail and ears may not be enough to contrast with that equipment), may cause alarm to others which is what I don't want either. Thank you for your response Smiling

Guyver47
Graphic Designer | Anthro Artist
guyver47.deviantart.com

naldru's picture
"I fear that financial problems are preventing me from attending this year. Maybe next year."

Location: Philadelphia, PA (USA)

I have heard of prop bullets for movies having holes drilled through the cartridge portion so that they could be inspected so that it could be verified that there was no powder inside. However, personally, I would be worried that somebody might have shells with no powder but still had the primer cap intact. (The primer cap contains a small amount of explosive which explodes when hit by the firing pin and then ignites the gunpowder.) Also given news events of the last year, I would be afraid that even the existence of fake bullets could cause a panic. I certainly wouldn't try going though customs or airport security with fake bullets.

If you have a cuff case on your belt, I personally think it would be hard to see if there were actually cuffs inside. Or you could make fake cuffs out of cardboard, paint them silver and leave off the chain links between the cuffs and any locking mechanism. They should look realistic at any distance over a few feet.

I am also assuming that a 4 D-cell flashlight would also be banned. They're heavy enough to give a really good whack at something. (In fact, that's one reason many policemen carry the larger flashlights.)

This is just my gut feel.

Volknochi's picture
Location: Northern VA

CYA: Avoid anything that could be construde as a weapon and as such. Just wear a uniform like that previous pic of the K-9. You don't have to go all out.

guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]

Yeah, I'd rather ask around for opinions rather than show up wearing such a costume and cause trouble. The fake cuffs sound like a good idea and safer as well. The last thing I want to become is a security risk for the sake of a costume Smiling
Thank you for your input.

Guyver47
Graphic Designer | Anthro Artist
guyver47.deviantart.com

Skippy DI's picture
Location: Detroit-ish

This user is a Staff Member.

Okay.. let's see:

Assuming you will only be wearing these things with your fursuit:

BDUs, web belts, pads. I don't have a problem with that. PLEASE do not get a set that says POLICE, SWAT or SECURITY (anything real cops would have on theirs) across the back, that might not go over well with the local cops. K9 Unit has been used before so you'd safe there.

The riot baton MIGHT be okay, if seriously peace-bonded to your belt. The telescoping metal baton are illegal in Pittsburgh, so don't even bother bring it.

Leave the shell casings at home. The sight of a full ammo belt, even if you know they're empty someone just walking by will not know.

If you were going to be in the masqurade, like other weapons, you can make arrangements with security to carry shell casings and a baton in a separate bag and load them before going on stage, then put them away before leaving after the contest.

-----------------------------------------------
David M Stein, DI

"Not Unlike the Toaster, I Control the Darkness"
-- Abby Normal, "You Suck"

Rigel's picture
"Charity Auction, Promotions, DJ"

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If you were going to be in the masqurade, like other weapons, you can make arrangements with security to carry shell casings and a baton in a separate bag and load them before going on stage, then put them away before leaving...

Also note that these items need to be cleared by the Masquerade Director in advance of the convention as well.

Skippy DI's picture
Location: Detroit-ish

This user is a Staff Member.

Yeah.. what he said..

-----------------------------------------------
David M Stein, DI

"Not Unlike the Toaster, I Control the Darkness"
-- Abby Normal, "You Suck"

guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]

I have a partial (no head though), but I don't think the pieces would be enough to tone down the uniform and equipment.
I don't have anything that has any police branch name on it, as I agree very much with you and do not wish to alarm anyone or impersonate law enforcement. I had considered a self-made patch with my user name/online handle on the back of the vest.
I think I'll just stick to the ears and tail only like previous years, heh.
*nods* Thank you for your input and opinion. I appreciate it Smiling

Guyver47
Graphic Designer | Anthro Artist
guyver47.deviantart.com

naldru's picture
"I fear that financial problems are preventing me from attending this year. Maybe next year."

Location: Philadelphia, PA (USA)

I'm not sure if all the readers know what BDU's are. It stands for Battle Dress Uniform. For the Marines and Army, these are the camouflage style uniforms you see on the news. If someone is wearing a BDU that isn't part of a fur-suit, are there any recommendations about insignia on the uniform. I would feel a little uncomfortable about someone who wasn't in the service wearing a BDU with insignia.

Skippy DI's picture
Location: Detroit-ish

This user is a Staff Member.

Yes, an excellent thing to remember, unless you're very clear it is a tribute costume, one should never wear insignia they haven't earned.

Most people at SF cons I see in BDUs these days usually have SG-1 insignia.

-----------------------------------------------
David M Stein, DI

"Not Unlike the Toaster, I Control the Darkness"
-- Abby Normal, "You Suck"

Sgt Steve's picture
"When the sh*t hits the fan, we're the first blade."

Location: 12 scenic miles from Hell

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Skippy nailed it. The only thing I'd add is that peace-bonding is a dual-purpose operation. The more obvious part is that peace-bonding must make it effectively impossible for you to draw the bonded article from its sheath/pouch/whatever. The less obvious part is that it must make it immediately obvious that it's locked down. That second part prevents two problems. First, us folks on the security staff (there are nearly 50 of us) won't have to be continually checking you to see if it's bonded or not. Second, it means that we don't have to deal with reports (or complaints!) from folks saying that someone's got an un-bonded weapon.

That said, we really appreciate your checking in advance. What's written here so far is a good guide, but should you have any more questions drop 'em here. Skippy and I monitor the boards, and we'll be notified as this item is updated.

Thanks for the link to Cheaper Than Dirt. Cool place.

guyver47's picture
"Military men? WHERE??!!"

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]

Yes, I wouldn't want security to have to feel they need to baby sit me or exert specific attention, nor do I wish to cause any alarm to the other attendees for the sake of a costume.
It does seem best for me to stick to my ears and tail only Smiling

My pleasure Smiling I think that CTD offers a nice resource for collectors and uniform enthusiasts at a reasonable price.

Thank you for your advice as well.

Guyver47
Graphic Designer | Anthro Artist
guyver47.deviantart.com

Volknochi's picture
Location: Northern VA

You should also check out David's Collectibles at www.tickbitesupply.com

They got some good stuff. Heck, I found them when I was looking for Mosin parts! Smiling

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