Halo prop weapons and street legality.

[Vexona]

Wee free time.

Federal Law Regarding Imitation Firearms
US Code Title 15 Chapter 76

§ 5001. Penalties for entering into commerce of imitation firearms

(a) Acts prohibited
It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm unless such firearm contains, or has affixed to it, a marking approved by the Secretary of Commerce, as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Distinctive marking or device; exception; waiver; adjustments and changes
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), each toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm shall have as an integral part, permanently affixed, a blaze orange plug inserted in the barrel of such toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm. Such plug shall be recessed no more than 6 millimeters from the muzzle end of the barrel of such firearm.
(2) The Secretary of Commerce may provide for an alternate marking or device for any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm not capable of being marked as provided in paragraph (1) and may waive the requirement of any such marking or device for any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm that will only be used in the theatrical, movie or television industry.
(3) The Secretary is authorized to make adjustments and changes in the marking system provided for by this section, after consulting with interested persons.
© “Look-alike firearm” defined
For purposes of this section, the term “look-alike firearm” means any imitation of any original firearm which was manufactured, designed, and produced since 1898, including and limited to toy guns, water guns, replica nonguns, and air-soft guns firing nonmetallic projectiles. Such term does not include any look-alike, nonfiring, collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898, or traditional B–B, paint-ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of air pressure.

...

I'm going to sport my weapon on my back because it has the orange tip as required by federal law and I'll be in full costume.

If you think your weapon is too realistic for public though, just leave it at home. Seriously, just err on the side of caution.

To answer someone's question, if your actions result in the involvement of law enforcement, you are likely to receive a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct or simple assault ('simple' describes 'attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury').
Also, and far worse, you will be laughed at by your peers...forever. (lol at pepper spray)

Example of a Standard Orange Blaze Safety Tip:

As mentioned previously, you can paint yours or buy plugs from stores. Make sure you have this if you take your weapon out.

Isn't safety fun!
-Vex

 

[Thire]

Here in the UK when i've trooped with the 501st or other costume group the Plod must be informed, most of the time they are fine, often posing for pictures with us. :rolleyes

I can see their dilema tho' the average beat copper is unarmed here, with 'armed response' units 10 minutes away
when you think they can come up against this:

This was a 15 year old kid filmed on a railway station cctv camera pointing what looked like an AK47 at passengers and this station is 100 yards from my house

good times arm ALL UK Police I say

 

[tal hawkins]

my cops would just let you go i got caught with a boatload of illegal fire works and i had to do was clean up after i was done setting them off

 

[SGT Razor]

Haha, where I live, the cops don't care if their own mother is murdered. Na-na-na-na-na-na!

Oh, wait...
That's not cool...

 

[Gravemind]

For purposes of this section, the term “look-alike firearm” means any imitation of any original firearm which was manufactured, designed, and produced since 1898, including and limited to toy guns, water guns, replica nonguns, and air-soft guns firing nonmetallic projectiles. Such term does not include any look-alike, nonfiring, collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898, or traditional B–B, paint-ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of air pressure.

Question: So since the Assault Rifle wasn't really ever manufactured, does one need to put a orange tip on it? Although, I dont think debsting with a cop about the interpritation of the law is a good idea while he is pointing his gun at you and yelling for you to drop yours.

 

[cys920622]

lets go the easy way.


no weapon.

 

[SPARTAN405]

Even if it hasnt been manufactured its still illegal. Bring an energy sword it would be much better.

 

[Durlaburban]

to the taser i know of a guy with some really crapy mc suit and the taser couldnt go through it lol. but then he was beat down with batons.

 

[Vexona]

Question: So since the Assault Rifle wasn't really ever manufactured, does one need to put a orange tip on it? Although, I dont think debsting with a cop about the interpritation of the law is a good idea while he is pointing his gun at you and yelling for you to drop yours.

If you are the one who designed and created the weapon, you are the 'manufacturer'. This term applies to anyone, a big company or 1 person, who creates a look-a-like. The year distinction (1898) and footnote is made because some people collect antique weapons (of which there is no requirement for the orange tips).

[It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture (...) or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm unless such firearm contains, or has affixed to it a marking [...federally this is the blaze orange tip plus any applicable state required markings].

Also, it's your responsibility if you even receive a look-a-like (i.e. have one through any means) that it bears the proper safety markings (the tip).

Now, a policemen may not be familiar with these laws like you said (they are changing and vary slightly state to state). He may make a judgment call without regard to the precautions you have taken and ask you to lay down on the ground or discard the weapon. However, following the US code to the best of your best ability and having good moral intentions to safely enjoy your toy gun will provide you a strong supporting argument if you needed to dismiss any wrong-doing.

If you doubt your weapon is going to be well received when you go out, just leave it at home. Energy swords are school friendly, like someone else mentioned.

 

[Seno Ypsamee]

Well, if any of your local police are "cool", they'll realize that it's Halo, meaning of course there will be fake weapons, but even if they are not, you would not be able to get your hands onto anything close to a MA5C or any Halo weapon for that matter!

But yeah, just to be safe, put some orange electrical tape on the barrel, even though that subtracts from the quality great craftsmanship...

EDIT: In Vexona's article, it says NON-FIRING weapons are excused so to speak...

"Such term does not include any look-alike, nonfiring, collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898, or traditional B–B, paint-ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of air pressure."

 

[feigned echo]

LOL that's so true

but then they'll take out their own pistols.

that would definately go through fiberglass.

and you.
do you get in crap if they make you drop your weapon and lay down and all that, and find that it's not real?

do they still charge you for something?

or just let you go on the spot

not unless you threatened with it.

 

[Evil Femle]

This thread reminds me of when I was a freshman in high school. We were in the middle of that arsenic trouble when there where cases of it in envelopes in the mail.

For Halloween a guy in one of my classes dressed up as Osama Bin Laden and as a joke he threw flour into peoples mail boxes. The police in my town ended up chasing him down and tackling him. Let me say he was arrested.

 

[Mibz 117]

Easy Solution: Get some Duct Tape, Preferable Orange and wrap it around the tip of the barrel. Can't find orange duck tape? Use some Spray Paint! Sure, Duck tape and spray paint aren't exactly "the best of friends" But it will do fine for a few hours.

 

[Kaya Tetsu]

This thread reminds me of when I was a freshman in high school. We were in the middle of that arsenic trouble when there where cases of it in envelopes in the mail.

For Halloween a guy in one of my classes dressed up as Osama Bin Laden and as a joke he threw flour into peoples mail boxes. The police in my town ended up chasing him down and tackling him. Let me say he was arrested.

*Sigh* Freshaman...They can be such idiots. then again, we all can. I'm gonna make a rush job ODST costume if I can before halloween,but I won't be carrying any weapons.I'm new here and not sure about any county/state/city laws

 

[cys920622]

ok, no weapons.



how come i can't make new threads anymore?????

 

[LastSpartan]

Lol, just don't bring your weapons!

Often, people know MC, but they don't care if you have the MA5C in your hands.


And my friend got tasered, and he said it passed thru his big leather clothes.

 

[FuncootForever]

The short and simple answer is, just don't do it except on occasion like at a launch or big party. Think about it, one person can ruin it for all of us. Honestly, I think it would be unfair for a couple of people in costumes to ruin it for all the avid replica gun collectors. IE: Airsoft, Paintball Guns, and other air guns. You do not have to carry a gun around to look cool as master chief.

 

[clownpuncher]

scary!!

 

[SPARTAN405]

Halloween or not DO NOT TAKE YOUR WEAPONS OUT. For conventions, transport your gun as you would a real one. In a gun bag!

 

[Twisting Neather]

While I was filming my second Youtube clip, a cop drove up behind me as I was beginning to take off the costume. I thought that I was going to get in trouble, but all he did was roll down his window and tell me that my armor was awesome.

Anyways remeber that not all cops are cool like that guy.