From the GMR

Okay gang, listen up! What follows below is NOT an attempt to change the way we play Amtgard. It is NOT an attempt by a "non-fighter" to force the " fighters" to do things differently. Hell, these are not even RULES *per se* ... just a small set of MINIMUM CRITERIA for helping to make safer weapons. Most of this stuff is a total "no brainer".

Learn it, know it, live it, love it.

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Minimum Safety Criteria Kingdom of the Wetlands, Summer 2003 Revision

General Safety Guidelines for Melee Weapons

1. Foam should be uncompressed by tape. Torque-wrapping is not permitted. Do NOT cover strikng areas with electrical tape or duct tape. Clear packing tape may be used.

2. All weapons under 5' long should be at least 2.5 inches in diameter (roughly the width of average funnoodle) on all striking surfaces. For longer weapons (polearms, great swords, etc.), the minimum diameter is 3.5 inches (so break out the monster noodle!) on THRUSTING SURFACES only. The 2.5 inch foam is acceptible for slashing polearm surfaces.

3. Striking surfaces must be a minimum of two-thirds the length of a weapon (3' sword means 2' of foam) if no courtesy padding is applied. Should courtesy padding be applied, the striking surface must still be a minimum of 12 inches.

4. Thrusting tips must be uncompressed foam and no core should be felt beneath, even after a thorough inspection. Thrusting tips on two-handed weapons should be especially soft, with at least an inch or more of uncompressed foam.

5. Courtesy Padding is defined as foam applied to a non-striking surface for the purpose of softening the impact of incidental contact. Courtesy padding must extend from the bottom edge of the striking surface down to the two-third mark to count. (e.g.: a nine foot polearm with a one-foot striking edge needs five feet of courtesy padding to pass)

6. Coverings for striking surfaces of all melee weapons should be made from light, durable cloth. Only pommels and shafts may have exposed tape. Pantyhose and socks are acceptable covers, duct tape is not.

7. SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S CONCERN! If your weapon draws a complaint, check it thoroughly. If it draws multiple complaints, remove it from play. YOU DO NOT NEED A REEVE OR CHAMPION TO TELL YOU WHAT IS UNSAFE! IF IT HURTS, THEN IT IS UNSAFE AND THEREFORE ILLEGAL!

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General Safety Guidelines for Throwing Weapons

1. No solid core will be permitted! No rocks, no pennies, no lead weights, no batteries. Rubber bands, compressed foam, soft Nerf balls and fabric are all acceptable. DO NOT WRAP CORE IN TAPE! This makes it "solid" and therefore illegal.

2. Tape coverings are acceptable, but should NOT be TORQUE-WRAPPED! Cloth covers are preferred in all instances.

3. All edges should be at least 2 inches in diameter. Smaller missiles will be checked on an individual basis.

4. SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S CONCERN! If your weapon draws a complaint, check it thoroughly. If it draws multiple complaints, remove it from play. YOU DO NOT NEED A REEVE OR CHAMPION TO TELL YOU WHAT IS UNSAFE! IF IT HURTS, THEN IT IS UNSAFE AND THEREFORE ILLEGAL!

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General Safety Guidelines for Archery Equipment

1. Arrows and bolts should be at least 2 inches around and made of soft foam, lightly covered in tape or cloth. Tips should always be cushy, and no core should EVERY be felt on an arrow.

2. FOR THE IDIOTS: NO REAL ARROWHEADS SHOULD EVER BE USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AMTGARD ARROWS! I will personally kick the ass of any fool stupid enough to think they can get away with such a dangerous and irresponsible stunt. Furthermore, I will mock you publically and not stop talking shit until you are permamently removed from Amtgard forever.

3. Please, check your firing distance. Half draws (or less) at less than 20 feet.

4. Amtgard Archery is, without a doubt the most potenitally deadly of all Amtgard activities. SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S CONCERN! If your weapon draws a complaint, check it thoroughly or remove it from play. YOU DO NOT NEED A REEVE OR CHAMPION TO TELL YOU WHAT IS UNSAFE! IF IT HURTS, THEN IT IS UNSAFE AND THEREFORE ILLEGAL!

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Any other questions?

Luke