Weaponspropspolicy | Core Element

Weapons and props policy

Core Element is a place of expression, fantasy and creativity. We understand that your costumes may include aspects of prop weapons. We are happy to let you bring these, as long as they fall within the guidelines within this document. These terms will outline what is allowed on site, and what is not. What defines a weapon is the ability to cause damage and injury to a person or object. This includes intended and adapted use. There is no right to carry a weapon at Core Element and therefore the event management team holds the final authority on all weapon-related matters. They reserve the right to deny or revoke permission for a weapon or require it to be peace-bound at any time and for any reason. Weapons are only acceptable if they are considered harmless and are intended to be used as part of a costume. Or, they serve as a tool to be used for a reasonable use at the festival. All weapons must be presented to crew upon entry to the festival, where trained crew will determine whether the weapon is appropriate to have on site. Any weapons that have not been checked shall not be permitted on site, and must be either locked within the owner’s car or stored in an Event van until the owner of the items wishes to leave the site. Items may be marked with a tag to display that it has been denied entry. Approved weapons will be marked with a brightly coloured tag and may be required to be peace bound. Bindings and tags must not be removed whilst on site and must be visible. Removing bindings and or tags will result in the weapon no longer being cleared and a warning. If bindings or tags come off, the owner must approach the crew to have it reapplied. Peace-binding may include the blocking of barrels on projectile devices, securing a weapon in a holster or carrier, securing a weapon to an item of clothing or removing a function from the item in a non destructive manner. All peace binding methods can be harmlessly reversed once the weapon has left the festival or the Event has ceased.

Generally approved items

The following weapons are generally acceptable:

Tools
Some tools do not have to be marked or cleared, however they must serve a justifiable purpose to be used within the Event. Examples of this are but not limited to:

Tent peg mallet used to secure pegs into the ground.
Small screwdrivers for the setup of equipment.
Multi tools for the use of setting up Dealers den / event equipment.
Multitools (Leatherman, Gerber, Victrinox, etc.) with or without blades. No blade may be longer than 10cm

Short “Bladed” weapons

These items must either be of foam construction or have thick sheaths to cover any hard bladed or pointed parts. No blades and pointed sections can be made of metal. “Bladed” weapons shorter than 40cm (15.7inches) total length (including handles) are considered short items.

LARP Daggers or knives foam or foam covered
Plastic or foam Daggers (With no sharp edge, and not sturdy or pointy enough to cause injury at moderate force)
Plastic or foam Knives (With no sharp edge, and not sturdy or pointy enough to cause injury at moderate force)

Long “Bladed” Weapons

LARP Swords, axes, spears, and pikes (Foam, or foam covered)
Wooden long-weapons, training swords, etc - (These weapons must be peacebound within case/holster/sheath, if not being used in an event supervised or authorised by security.

Blunt Weapons

LARP Maces (Foam)
LARP Clubs (Foam)
LARP Flails (Foam)
LARP Morning Stars (Foam)

Projectile Weapons

Bubble guns (May only be used outside and with caution)
NERF-Guns and similarly constructed foam-dart-weapons with foam darts only. Foam darts and projectile fire power will be scrutinised by crew. If strength testing cannot be determined, the item will be peace bound. Discharging these items within tent / marquee spaces is strictly prohibited.
Water pistols and blasters. These must only be filled with water from the onsite water source and used in an open space of field. Attendees must not expel water from these devices onto unaware or unwilling attendees.

Miscellaneous
If your item matches any of the following, please bring the item to the attention of a crew member who will direct you to the relevant authority. Crew members who spot items that match include any of the following criteria have the right to question and inspect the item.

Metal, wooden or hard plastic spikes which can easily be removed from an item of which it is attached to and exceeds 10cm.
Features electrical components or batteries, especially lithium batteries.
Sharp edges anywhere on the item.
Metal or Wood construction anywhere on or within the item.
Suggestive or questionable content.
Has or contains realistic weaponry as a part of the design e.g. grenades on a vest, ammo belts etc.

Blacklist
These weapons and items are not acceptable and will not be cleared to be present on site. Any attendees seen with these items may be ejected from the Event and the police may be called.

Any items which have a laser function.
Glass bottles.
All offensive and defensive weapons that are illegal under UK law
- Prevention of Crime Act 1953
- Criminal Justice Act 1988
- Offensive Weapons Act 2019
- Other relevant legislation not listed above
All live firearms (including airsoft)
All sharp blades exceeding a blade-length of 10cm
All locking blades (including multitool blades if they lock into place)
All pointed weapons if they are sturdy enough to penetrate naked skin
All metal replica hand weapons (e.g. reenactment swords)
All items made of unsafe materials (e.g. Unsealed latex, glass) whether in full or in part

If you are unsure about your item and it’s eligibility to be cleared, please email core.element@botbevents.com

Back to policies

Weapons and props policy

Short “Bladed” weapons

Long “Bladed” Weapons

Blunt Weapons

Miscellaneous If your item matches any of the following, please bring the item to the attention of a crew member who will direct you to the relevant authority. Crew members who spot items that match include any of the following criteria have the right to question and inspect the item.

Metal, wooden or hard plastic spikes which can easily be removed from an item of which it is attached to and exceeds 10cm.

Features electrical components or batteries, especially lithium batteries.

Sharp edges anywhere on the item.

Metal or Wood construction anywhere on or within the item.

Suggestive or questionable content.

Has or contains realistic weaponry as a part of the design e.g. grenades on a vest, ammo belts etc.

Miscellaneous
If your item matches any of the following, please bring the item to the attention of a crew member who will direct you to the relevant authority. Crew members who spot items that match include any of the following criteria have the right to question and inspect the item.