Guys... I just stumbled across this on the Collectormania Forums:
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This will be of no improtance to anyone who isn't intending on bringing a fake/toy/airsoft gun as part of their costume.
For those of you that are: a word of warning. I'm coming to C11 this year dressed as a member of Strargate SG-1. (Black offworld gear including the boots, tac vest, jacket etc etc). And to finish off the illusion of being a perfect representaion of this member I was going to bring an toy/airsoft weapon to carry. I e-mailed Showmasters last year who confirmed this was fine, as long as the weapon was of course not loaded, battery removed, didn't look real (metal) etc and that I would not be waving it around in everyone's face and making people uncomforatable. So I was happy... Until I found out recently that UK law has changed and any fake guns of pretty much any sort cannot be carried around in public (obvious really but you'd think C11 or LFCC might be different). So I decided to call the MK police station to get permission to bring it anyway. After the female officer went off to find the information she returned to tell me that unfortunately the answer was NO... I was asked to relay this to all of the potential attendees via this forum:
The reason being that no matter how resposible you act, if a member of the public decides to call the police because they are intimidated or uneasy with seeing a fake gun/ bloke dressed as a soldier carrying a weapon (Centre:MK is a public shopping centre in full view of shoppers), then the rapid response tactical armed unit would be despatched and I'd most likely be arrested, banged up for 6 months or shot in the worst case scenario! (Again I'd have to be doing something pretty stupid for the last two to happen)
This is the information I found realting to the law:
"... under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, which was introduced in January this year, it is an arrestable offence to carry an imitation firearm in a public place without permission, whether or not it is capable of discharging a shot or a bullet. Carrying an air weapon in public, loaded or not, is also an offence. The maximum penalty is six months imprisonment."
It is an offence to possess an airgun in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse
It is an offence for people aged 14-17 to carry an airgun or airgun ammunition in a public place, even if it is in a secure cover, unless accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over.
"There is no law relating to the posession of toy guns, including BB guns, in public but if someone carrying one puts other people in fear or causes distress in any way or degree, then that person is committing a criminal offence. They also run the risk of injuring themselves or anyone around.
If the police are called, they have to react as if the firearm is real - and anyone brandishing any type of gun (real or not, loaded or not) is putting themselves in danger.
So in the case of anyone dressing in Manga costumes, Game character costumes, military costumes of any sort that need guns of some description to be part of the kit, be aware that (and this may never happen) you may have someone complain about you and end up having to answer some hearty questions to the police at best.
Also remember that even if the gun you bring is made of papermache or obviously fake looking to you (plastic, orange tip, over sized Manga version etc) a little old lady walking past doing some weekend shopping might think she's doing her civic duty by reporting a gun in her lovely shopping centre!
As it happens I've now managed to sort myself a couple of resin model alien weapons instead which could not be mistaken for any human type weapon (I hope!)...
And the last point, anyone going to a London con in the future? Don't carry fake weapons on the trains or underground! Or any other public transport for that matter. It may seem unbelievably obvious but it's worth a mention!
Have fun!
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so let me know if ya need to know anything. 
at: 5/1/07 11:10 am
