I was talking to a staffer at a large anime con once, and they told me that this had happened. The guy legit thought that the weapon check would confirm it was a weapon and give it back, sending him on his merry way. Maybe he thought they would peacebond it like at a ren faire, but that's just not how anime cons work.
One year, I got myself a sword in a Dealer's Room raffle. It was $20, edgeless, and purely ornamental, but hey, raffle sword. As soon as I walked away with my prize, however, a staffer came up and told me I had to take it elsewhere. Even though it wasn't a "real" sword, it was close enough that it wasn't allowed at the con. So I ditched it in my car and came back. Considering there are people who try to pull stunts like in this comic, I can't blame them for their caution.
One year, I got myself a sword in a Dealer's Room raffle. It was $20, edgeless, and purely ornamental, but hey, raffle sword. As soon as I walked away with my prize, however, a staffer came up and told me I had to take it elsewhere. Even though it wasn't a "real" sword, it was close enough that it wasn't allowed at the con. So I ditched it in my car and came back. Considering there are people who try to pull stunts like in this comic, I can't blame them for their caution.
