From: tad@intercon.com (Tad L. J. Pierson)
Newsgroups: dc.general
Subject: Re: EveCon 10: Jan.1,2,3 '93 toy Gun policy
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:00:03 -0500
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation
Distribution: world
Reply-To: tad@intercon.com (Tad L. J. Pierson)
NNTP-Posting-Host: tad.intercon.com
X-Newsreader: InterCon TCP/Connect II 1.1b21

In article <STXTNT.92Dec14012018@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov>, 
stxtnt@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov (Nigel Tzeng) writes:

> Hmmm...rumor has it that Evecon is going to ban toy guns...a tad far for 
> gun-control dont you think?  If so I may show to see old friends but 
> damned if I'll buy membership...Bruce can kiss one former member 
> goodbye. 
> 
> Nigel 

I would be sorry to see you go Nigel, but, unfortunately, we have had no 
choice in the matter.  I shall tell you why:

In July of the is year, VA modified a batch of laws, including the 
Brandishing and Assault laws.  To whit, these laws now state (drat, I don't 
have the copy in front of me, but I'll try to tommorrow) to the effect that 
if a person reasonably believes that what you have [in your hand] has the 
_silhouet_ (sp?) of a gun, then that is brandishing, a 1st degree misdemeanor 
and carries up to 1 year in jail and up to $1K in fines.  If you point it at 
someone, it kicks over to a class 6 Felony, up to 5 years in jail and $50K in 
fines.

This in and of itself is enough reason to change our (FanTek's) weapon 
policy, but we had an even more compelling one.  According to three different 
lawyers, we (FanTek, it's volunteers and staff) would be _civilly_ liable, if 
we allow fake guns, if a policeman shot a member, believing the member had a 
gun.  In other words _I_ personally, as a staff member (I am one of the heads 
of Security and Medical Dept.), could be sued due to this person being stupid 
and pointing a toy gun at a cop.  NO WAY!  I'm sorry, but as much as I like 
LARPing there is no way I am going to get sued over it.

FanTek STILL has the only 'liberal' weapons policy in this area allowing 
people to carry their decorative swords, etc. at the con.  However, until VA 
changes its laws, _anything_ that appears to be a gun - toys, airguns, 
paintball guns, etc. are going to be banned from the con. 

Why did VA change its laws?  Well, look in any gun magazine - Glock now sells 
.32 cal handguns in "designer pastel colors" for ladies to match their 
outfits, another co. offers a real M-16 in bright "blaze orange", etc. etc. 
and the cops can no longer tell the toys from the real bag-bang.

Lemme give you a scenario:

(This is not a reflection on any particular larp, I've run ones with guns as 
well)
A LARP is running at EveCon (with the con allowing toy/fake guns) with some 
of the participants being a little drunk or young or immature and running 
around waving their guns at all and sundry.  Little old lady sees this, 
panics and calls the cops, "I just saw three men wearing masks/bdu's/camo 
grab a woman and drag her into a hotel room!!"  Cops respond with a hot-shot 
call, rush into the hotel and spot someone in the stairwell with what appears 
to be a gun.  Cop yells, "Police!  Freeze!"  [Remember, the cop is pumping 
adrenaline and knows nothing about LARPing]  Person on stairs thinks it's 
someone in the game, turns around and starts to point/pull his toy.  BLAM!!

Now, parent/spouse/SO hires lawyer to sue someone/anyone over situation.  
Lawyer says, "Hey, the con allowed toy guns, in violation of VA STate laws!" 
and commences a brisk rubbing of his hands while chuckling over the $$$ 
dancing in his head.  Now, technically, according to all the different 
lawyers consulted, ONLY the Con, officer involved, and hotel are "liable" for 
this dummy not obeying the real cop.  However, the lawyer is going to sue 
EVERYONE possible, to get as much money as possible for his fees, er, ah 
client ;-), including me.  While I will probably not end up paying one cent 
to the plaintiff, I will STILL have to drop big bucks on a lawyer to defend 
myself.  That's bucks I ain't got.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me e-mail or we can discuss it 
here.


Tad L. J. Pierson

"Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodies?"

These are my opinions only!  Reasonable people here at InterCon probably do not share them.