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2 Cosplayers Fined for Fake Weapons Near Canada's G-Anime Convention

Two 18-year-old cosplayers in camouflage fatigues and carrying replica weapons on their way to the G-Anime convention in Gatineau, Quebec were fined CA$270 (about US$217) by police officers on Friday. They were arrested and their weapons confiscated, but were not charged for any criminal activity.

The two men, one wearing a mask, parked their car near the Palais de Congrès building and caught the attention of government workers inside the building, who then called authorities.

The G-Anime Convention responded on Facebook and asked attendees not to wear replica combat uniforms or carry replica weapons outside the convention.

Rob Spittall, owner of The Comic Book Shoppe in Ottawa, witnessed the arrest. “Considering how the world has changed in the past year, I'm thankful we're not the States. Realistically, if we were in the States, those kids would be dead,” he said.

The Ottawa ComicCon event changed its policy last year after a shooting at the Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial in Ottawa killed Canadian soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Guests at that convention with costumes that include combat fatigues and replica weapon are asked to change into them once they are inside the convention.

Gatineau is in close proximity to Ottawa, located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River.

Source: Metro News, Videos via Luc-Rock Paquin