Weapons at Comic Con – Understanding the local legislation

The popularity of Airsoft weapons has significantly increased in Romania over recent years. However, this trend has generated confusion regarding the applicable legislative framework. Romanian legislation does not distinguish between Airsoft weapons, regardless of their operational status. Therefore, even a non-functional weapon is considered, from a legal standpoint, an Airsoft weapon, which cannot be brought into a public space.

Of course, there is an exception when they are carried by members of the MAPN/MAI/SRI/SPP on a mission or for a demonstrative purpose at an event.

Unfortunately, there are numerous shops that ignore this legislation, thus making Airsoft weapons accessible and easy to buy in Romania. In many cases, these stores do not inform the buyer that transporting such a weapon in a public space could even lead to criminal charges.

To clarify the situation, we present below what is permitted and what is not at Comic Con.

What is accepted at Comic Con:

• Unsharpened weapons made of plastic, cardboard, polystyrene, foam, and lightweight materials.
• Plastic weapons that do not imitate a real weapon 1/1 in terms of materials and which have never had the capacity to shoot projectiles based on battery, propulsion (gas, CO2), etc. Typically, these weapons can be used by children from 3 years old and make a sound when the trigger is pressed.
• NerfGun-type weapons are designed to shoot foam projectiles (foam).

NOT ACCEPTED IN PUBLIC SPACES according to Romanian legislation:

• ANY SHARP WEAPON THAT CAN STAB, REGARDLESS OF MATERIAL!
• Any replica (including materials) designed to be non-functional. The legislation prohibits the wearing of weapons that can be confused with real ones in public spaces.
• Any Airsoft weapon, whether the battery is removed or the weapon is defective, or a plastic cap has been improvised. The law explicitly states that the use or wearing of an Airsoft weapon, whether it is defective or functional, is only done in specially arranged spaces, away from public areas, which contain markings according to the law warning people that such weapons are in that space.
• Any non-functional real weapon, prop weapons, theater weapons, sports weapons, starter weapons.
• Any weapon that can shoot projectiles based on battery, propulsion (gas, CO2), caps, regardless of shooting power and type of projectile. Legislation prohibits them in public spaces because they can, even accidentally, injure people around them.
• Any other weapons, such as bayonets, swords, spades, foils, daggers, knives, scissors, brass knuckles, cudgels, crossbows, bows, bats, clubs, and telescopic sticks. It is everyone’s responsibility to know and respect these regulations, for the benefit of everyone present at events and in public spaces.

It is everyone’s responsibility to know and respect these regulations, for the benefit of everyone present at events and in public spaces.

Although the Comic Con event is private, with its own rules, it takes place in a public space.

By public space, we do not necessarily mean a public domain, but any space that can be accessed (even with a ticket) by a person who is not the owner of that space. Therefore, the space where Comic Con takes place is considered a public space in the context of this legislation.

This article was drafted based on the Law regulating the regime of weapons and ammunition, which is Law 295/2004. This article also takes into account the amendments made to the law on November 4, 2019, November 12, 2021, and June 22, 2022.