Weapon Policy

The Yama Con Weapons Policy is a summary of items that are not allowed at the convention.

Bladed Weapons (Swords, Knives, Axes)

  • Arrows and other projectiles must have all metal tips removed. Cover or sheathing will not be permitted. Plastic tip attachments will be permitted
  • Projectiles must not be fully strung and demonstrate to be unable to fire projectiles
  • Firing any type of projectile is not permitted (including foam)

Projectile Firing Props

  • Any prop that resembles a realistic firearm is NOT allowed per Leconte policy. This includes but is not limited to Airsoft, BB, paintball guns, disabled firearms, etc.

  • Bows, crossbows, etc, must be destrung

Blunt Weapons (Staves, Bats, Maces, Wooden Katanas, Hammers)

  • Cannot be composed of solid metal (metal detailing is permitted)
  • Wooden bats are permitted but will be reviewed year-to-year
  • Metal nails or spikes of any type must not be protruding from all blunt weapons
  • May not be swung except in designated photo areas for action shots
  • Props heavy enough to cause injury may be declined on a case-by-case basis

Cylindrical (Staff Poles, Flags, Banners)

  • Prop must be under 7 ft in length and/or under 25 lbs in weight.
  • May not be made of steel or metal PVC and plastic piping is allowed
  • May not be swung except in designated photo areas for action shots
  • As a courtesy, please review flag etiquette when carrying a national flag (such as the US flag)
  • Selfie sticks are currently permitted but will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis

Tools and Miscellany (Wrenches, Chains, Hammers, ETC)

  • Cannot be composed of solid metal (do not bring a real pipe wrench as a prop)
  • May not be swung except in designated photo areas for action shots
  • Props heavy enough to cause injury may be declined on a case-by-case basis

Bulky Costumes (Wings, Gundams, Fursuits, Stilts)

  • Use a handler if your vision is significantly impaired (a handler is another attendee who will escort you around the convention)

  • Wings must be collapsible or removable to prevent impending crowds in tight spaces

  • Cosplayers may be asked to remove stilts if staff believes there is a significant tripping hazard

  • Cosplayers may be asked to remove bulky items in tight spaces or crowds

  • Costumes must not have the ability to shoot projectiles of any type

External Accessories

  • Powders, sand or flashbangs for visual effects within public spaces are not allowed
  • External speakers, especially if continually playing loud music, which are considered a public nuisance will be removed from all public spaces
  • All props must not have the ability to use sound effects that can be mistaken for realistic weapons
  • Cigarette props must be unlit or unable to emit vapors
  • Real food for food props cannot be used
  • Food packaging props must not contain real food
  • Prop bottles may only contain water or dyed water as it will be checked to ensure it does not contain illicit substances
  • Scooters, skateboards, bikes, inline skates, ice skates, roller skates, and hoverboards from attendees are prohibited within all convention and public spaces.

Shoe Policy

  • Shoes, slippers, sandals or lyricals must be worn at all times in public spaces

  • Shoe removal is allowed for photos only

Storage

  • Yama Con does not provide storage or handling of Cosplay Props
  • There are no public lockers within the convention spaces
  • Props left behind or unattended may potentially be confiscated and discarded

Other Important Information

Public safety personnel (Convention, Hotel, Convention Center, and Pigeon Forge Police) will be present at all times during the convention. At all venues, you will be under observation, even if you don’t have a weapon or are wearing a costume.

The Leconte Center does not allow any props that resemble realistic firearms. If you have any questions please reach out to us at support@yamacon.org.

In order to protect their own safety and that of others, Yama Con attendees understand, agree, and consent that designated Yama Con representatives or public safety personnel throughout the convention have an absolute right to inspect costumes, weapons, and any other items, and that attendee will submit to such an inspection. Any attendee must submit their costumes, weapons, and other items to an immediate inspection upon request or must leave the convention. In the event a person declines to submit to an inspection and refuses to leave, they shall be immediately expelled from the convention and escorted off the premises.

  • Persons who carry or otherwise bring prop weapons, replicas, or similar items do so at their own, sole, and absolute risk, and assume all risks of liability, harm, damage, or loss to any person or property injured or otherwise harmed, intentionally or accidentally, directly or indirectly by such items or the person carrying them.
  • Yama Con is and shall not be liable for any injury, harm, damage, or other risk or liability associated with any person’s use of any weapon, replica, or prop, whether permitted or banned here after at ABC.
  • In no event shall Yama Con, or its affiliates and subsidiaries, or the Leconte Convention Center have any liability for any incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages hereunder, even if informed of the possibility of same.

  • A Peace Bonded weapon is an item that has been inspected by Yama Con staff, and has been secured so that said item can be recognized as a non-lethal weapon by means of identification.
  • All prop weapons, realistic or not, must be peace bonded by Yama Con Staff.
  • Peace bonding is available at the Public Safety checkpoint at Registration.
  • Removal of a peace bond or addition of one by anyone other than Yama Con Staff will not be tolerated.

    • This policy shall apply at all official Yama Con events, including, but not limited to: Yama Con, Yama Staff and/or Directors meetings, and work days, and shall apply on the property of the Leconte Convention Center, and all surrounding parking lots, walkways, roads, parks, recreation areas and/or any other area reserved for use by Yama Con.
  • Only Yama Con Senior Directors may determine whether any particular item covered by this policy is permitted or not permitted at Yama Con and such determination is solely, exclusively, and absolutely at the discretion of Yama Con. Persons who do not cooperate with the determinations of Yama Con concerning the application of this policy to any particular item may be immediately expelled from the convention. If it is later discovered that a person brought a working weapon to any current or prior year Yama Con, that person may be banned from attending future conventions.

General Information

  • Email: Support@yamacon.org
  • Convention: Yama Con 13
  • Theme: Cursed
  • Date: December 5th – 7th, 2025

  • Location: Leconte Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, TN

Don’t Miss out!

Yama Con

Yama-Con Anime & Comic Convention is the largest anime convention in East Tennessee held annually in the massive LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. Now in its 13th year, it has quickly grown in size and scope to welcome thousands of attendees, hundreds of hours of programming, events, and more!