Weapon Rules

GERMAN CASTLE CON – COSPLAY WEAPON POLICY

What would a brave knight be without a sword, a mighty wizard without a staff, or a noble lady without her carefully crafted props? Many cosplays come to life through their lovingly created weapon replicas and accessories.

To ensure that the German Castle Con at Schloss Burg is a safe and unforgettable experience for all visitors, we kindly ask you to observe the following rules regarding weapon replicas and props.

All weapon replicas will be inspected before entering the event grounds.

PROHIBITED WEAPONS / WEAPON REPLICAS

The following items are not permitted on the event grounds:
Real firearms, airsoft guns and gas pistols (including unloaded firearms)
Live ammunition
Real throwing weapons (throwing stars, throwing knives, darts)
Pyrotechnics and explosive devices (firecrackers, rockets, etc.)
Brass knuckles, batons and baseball bats
Striking and choking weapons (e.g. nunchaku)
Metal weapons with sharp or blunt blades or points (katanas, swords, sabres, machetes, axes, morning stars and knives of any kind)
Staffs and poles made of metal, wood, fiberglass, hard plastic or combinations of these materials (e.g. wooden staffs, spears or bamboo swords)
Arrows of any kind, regardless of the material
Riding crops longer than 1 metre and whips of any kind

Anyone carrying prohibited items may be refused entry or removed from the event, regardless of any legal authorization to possess such items.

PERMITTED WEAPON REPLICAS

The following items are permitted:
Weapon replicas made of foam, rubber, cardboard or thermoplastic materials
Weapon replicas and staffs made from a combination of wood and cardboard, plastic or soft plastic, provided that wood is not the predominant material
LARP weapons made of foam or latex with an internal support core
Bows without a functional bowstring
Arrows without tips

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Please also observe the following requirements:
Metal armour pieces must be securely attached to the costume.
Metal chains must be securely attached to the costume and may not be worn loosely.
Spiked wristbands and collars may only have blunt spikes with a maximum length of 5 cm.
Costumes, armour pieces and props must not have any sharp edges or pointed corners.

WEAPON CHECK

All weapon replicas will be inspected at the entrance. Items that do not comply with these safety regulations will not be permitted on the event grounds.
Where possible, prohibited items will be stored until the end of the event and may be collected when leaving the venue.
The decision of the security staff on site is final.

LEGAL BASIS

These weapon regulations are based on the applicable provisions of the German Weapons Act (Waffengesetz – WaffG), in particular Section 1 (2) and Section 42 concerning the carrying of weapons at public events.

Section 1 – Scope and purpose of the Act, definitions

Weapons are:
Firearms or equivalent objects
Portable objects which are, by their nature, intended to eliminate or reduce a person’s ability to attack or defend themselves
Objects which, due to their design, handling or intended use, are capable of impairing a person’s ability to attack or defend themselves

Section 42 – Prohibition of carrying weapons at public events

Anyone attending public festivals, fairs, sporting events, exhibitions, markets or similar public events may not carry weapons as defined in Section 1 (2) of the German Weapons Act.

Exceptions apply only where expressly provided by law, for example for participants in theatrical performances or comparable artistic presentations.

Thank you for your understanding and your support in helping us make the German Castle Con at Schloss Burg a safe and unforgettable experience for all visitors.