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Merugear

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  1. Dutch Weapon Law Restrictions

    in General Weapons Discussion

    Posted · Edited by gmrhodes13
    link removed no longer working

    Well, I got a reaction:

     

    Quote
    Dear Sir,

     

    Based on article 2 etc. etc. of the Weapons and Ammunitions Law (WAL), other by the Minister of Justice appointed objects that can cause a serious threat to persons, or that resemble a weapon in such a way that they could be used for threatening or scaring off people, are weapons under the Category I in the case of the Law.

     

    In article 13 WAL is decided that it is illegal to create, transform, recover for a third party, to carry over, to have at hand, to transport, to wear or to import or export, a weapon indicated to fall under Category I.

     

    Weapons categorised under Category I are subject to very strict rules and by principle, particulars/civilians cannot own these legally. The posession of this kind of weapons by particulars/civilians is considered highly unwanted by the government, since these weapons are mainly only to be used for purposes that normally do not serve any societal cause.

     

    So I sent another mail! :P (Cantbeatpie, I used your blaster before and after pics as a reference, if you don't mind)

     

    Quote

    Dear Sir/Madam,

     

    thank you very much for you thorough and quick reaction to my mail. The question for me has become very clear thanks to your explanations! I truly understand that such a prop can be seen as a potential means to threaten people of the society, and judging from the past few news bulletins that came to my attention it is certain this is not a subject to think about lightly. Hence the reason for my correspondence.

     

    I am already very grateful for the time and effort you and your colleages have spent on this question, but I want to make sure I have everything straight if you don't mind.

    Again, thanks for the fast service, I really appreciate it.

     

    Imagine... Someone buys this toy gun in a shop in the Netherlands:

     

    With the resin parts he or she buys from eBay, he or she knows how to modify the toy gun in such a way that it looks like a prop from the movie Star Wars.

     

    Now I can very well imagine that the toy gun in this picture can be seen and used as a way for threatening or scaring people. So in principle, the toy gun has now become a Category I weapon.

     

     

    Now this same prop is being used by a costuming group on a promotional event in the Netherlands, with permission of the eventkeeper, fitting with the theme of the event (space) and it has been determined (possibly by local police) that these props are plastic toy guns combined with a costume that is known to be available at the event by the eventkeeper as well as the event's attendees. The carrying of these props is limited by wearing them in the borders of the event-terrain and will not be held in public sight after the events. All costumeholders are allied with the costuming group The Fighting 501st, who is widely known to be a collector for charities worldwide.

     

    Additionally, as these costumes are used with the permission of Lucasarts/Lucasfilm (well Uncie George -Vincent), the wearers of these costumes are bound to a Code of Conduct, which allows them to use the intellectual property of Lucasarts/Lucasfilm for these events. They will have to act like this code as such.

     

    For more information:

     

    ------------

     

    501st Code of Conduct:

    The 501st Legion recognizes that its costumes represent characters from the Star Wars films and as such, costume-wearers carry the responsibility of portraying these characters professionally and tastefully while in public. For these reasons, all members are prohibited from acting in a manner disrespectful towards the image they are portraying, towards fellow club members, or towards the public at large while in costume at an event expressly organized as a 501st event.

    Foul language, obscene gestures, and use of alcohol or tobacco are prohibited while in costume in view of the public (children especially) as they jeopardize the club's image. Any convention or gathering where adult content is prevalent can be considered a private venue and a non-501st event and behavioral standards may be relaxed.

    Acting in a threatening or violent manner, sexual harassment or misconduct, theft, and illegal substance abuse are all prohibited as they are unacceptable behavior. This applies to members in or out of costume at 501st events or otherwise.

    In short, crude behavior is discouraged; threatening behavior is prohibited completely. Members who engage in such conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the 501st Legion.

    This code is not meant to restrict freedom, but to give fair warning what behaviors may require action to correct. When out of costume, members are still required to observe reasonable behavioral standards towards fellow club members, as these actions affect one another. Your private life is your own.

     

    -Dutch translation-

     

    Now my final questions are still:

     

    does a modified toy gun, used during a pre-determined and estimated event, with props checked by the local police authority etc. etc. still fall under a weapon of Category I, and is it illegal in the Netherlands to carry such a prop at an event, even though this prop is used solely in combination with the accompanying costume, and not to be used in public if one is not in posession of such a costume or is not wearing such a costume at that moment in time?

     

    Does the toy gun that is seen in the first image of this e-mail also fall under Category I, and, should this same gun be painted black, would it fall under Category I?

     

    Is it possible to ask a waiver for such a toy gun, be it in form or by the local police department that supervise an event?

     

    Thanks in advance and with best regards,

     

    Vincent

     

    Will keep you people updated! There's got to be a way for us Dutchmen to be able to troop properly!

  3. Putting the "K" in "TK"

    in Off Topic

    Posted · Edited by gmrhodes13
    link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021

    Just as fate has it, I checked my german Star Wars board game (Krieg der Sterne) for unseen TK pics and they refer to them as either: Soldat or Sturmtruppen in it.

     

    Some people think it comes from Teräs Käsi meaning Iron Fist in Finnish (also the game: Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi)

     

    ------------

     

    Maybe someone named the troops after a toner :P.

  4. Dutch Weapon Law Restrictions

    in General Weapons Discussion

    Posted

    As my interest in the 501st and Star Wars increased, I came to an inevitable point where one is looking to make his own blaster.

    Being the law-abiding citizen that I am, I first contacted the ministry of defence regarding the use of replicated star wars weapons in everyday life and check on the legality of walking around in white armor, carrying something that looks like a sci-fied Sterling SMG.

     

    This is the mail I got returned (translated):

     

    As a response to your mail, I give you the following:

     

    In your e-mail you indicate that the question at hand is about replica weapons. The Dutch Weapon Law is divided into categories. These [replica] weapons are mentioned under Category I under Article 2 of the Weapons and Ammunition Law. These weapons are extremely illegal. You yourself have indicated that George Lucas used old WWII weapons as a base, and added some 'greeblies' to make them more sci-fi like. In essence, these weapons remain WWII weapons (commonly called Category II in Article 2 of the Weapons and Ammunitions Law) and replicas of these fall under the category I of the Weapons and Ammunitions Law.

     

    I hope to have provided you with enough in formation.

     

    Now this is what I sent back:

     

    Dear ____________,

     

    Isn't it according to Article 4 of the Weapons and Ammunition Law that these specific replicated weapons, used for promotional purposes for The Fighting 501st, not being able to fire projectiles or are able to be used as a projectile weapon, be they made of wood, resin or plastic to show resemblance to screen-used movie props, are allowed due to the fact that Article 4 states:

     

    The Minister may by or under this Act or prohibititions free or, upon request, waive the described weapons or ammunition, belonging to one of the following groups:

    • a. weapons that are not suitable for use as such;

    • b. weapons that show the character of antiquities;

    • c. other weapons, where they are for or part of a collection or wall decoration;

    • d. ammunition, were they intended to or part of a collection;

    • e. equipment and objects for professional purposes;

    • f. sample, demonstration or test equipment and props;

    • g. Emergency resources and related ammunition

     

    That these weapons are allowed to be used for demonstrational purposes, or in the role of a prop during a live-action performance of The Fighting 501st, should they be crafted from wood or plastic with resin addisions in order to make them look more like the props of the movie? It basically is a role play being performed in public and at events and such.

     

    Also:

    stormtrooper%20blaster.jpg

    This product is wideley for sale in retail stores all over the Netherlands, being advertised as a Stormtrooper blaster. The main design is based on a Sterling SMG from WWII, and with a few resin-parts is able to be transformed into something that looks very much like a screen-used E11 blater.

     

    According to the Weapons and Ammunitions Law this product shouldn't be in the retail circuit at all I reckon? Due to the fact the Law is indifferent on the paint scheme the replica or weapon is painted.

     

    The reason for this curiosity is mainly for myself to prevent me from making a possibly illegal mistake. Due to the globalisation of the market, and not to mention differences in export laws, I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get my hands on a potentially illegal object by accident. (sounds better in Dutch :P)

     

    Being the fan that I am, I'd really love to find a legal possibility to carry these kinds of props to events organised by The Fighting 501st costuming group.

     

    How to other re-enactment groups cope with this Law? I saw a lot of Dutch costuming groups who clearly had demilitarized weapons during their events and activities.

    Is this a matter of condonement?

     

    Best regards,

     

    Vincent

     

    I also sent a mail to one of the larger historical re-enactment groups, and this is what I got back:

     

    Our members own weapons that are modified to shoot blanks. Our members asked a waive for these at the police/justice department.

    Replicas are absolutely very illegal in the Netherlands.

     

    So right now I want to know the standing on plastic retail-sold blasters with resin-cast accessories on it painted black!

    It's not a working replica or whatever... It's a piece of plastic with a soundboard and some resin on it.

     

    Anyways, I'll keep you guys and gals updated on the wonderful world of legalese.

  11. Confused

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    The thing is they're warning you for commercially available armor. That means a shop will be selling those as 'movie accurate' or whatever because the armor has been given a license from LFL. Unfortunately, the licenced ones aren't really the most accurate ones out there. The most accurate armors are being made by amateurs such as those on our forum here. You might have read some abbrevations that indicate a specific armor make. Those are all amateurs who somehow got their hands on a cast from an original helmet and armor, or created the molds to make the armor all by themselves.

     

    Now to be frank there is a lot of controversy about who's the most accurate, who used original casts or not, who used what item from what other amateur crafter... It's a bit overwhelming but the information is out here in the boards.

     

    In short, it's up to you to decide if you want a Ferarri or a Vauxhall :P

    Every armor has its pros and cons, it's up to your personal preference what you'd get.

    I spent half a year just looking for the right armor, and I finally found it.

    It gives a sense of achievement when you spent so much time looking for the right thing and get it, so feel free to check these forums out further!

     

    The first few posts of this sub-forum explain a lot:

    http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showforum=29

     

    I suggest you read up some more on the boards (especially the so-called 'sticky' topics), and pop in the New Member Introduction area to get your 'official' entry to the FISD (First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment)!

     

    Best regards,

     

    Vincent

     

    Disclaimer:

    With amateurs I mean the proper meaning as in: People not doing this as their main profession or source of income.

  13. Best Cure for the Worst Day!

    in Assembly, Mods, and Painting

    Posted

    I do internet tech support, they're all bad days LOL

     

    I do citrix tech support where people call normal networked PC's 'standalones' cos they're used to using a thin client.

     

    Colleauge of mine once had an incident where a client had troubles printing. He asked if it was a color printer or not. He put the call on speakerphone so you could hear the client walk to the printer and back again. The reply: "No, its grey."

     

    *sighs*

     

    Guess I don't need to tell you guys when I made that compendium :P.

     

    On topic: It's nice to see an ATA brother. My armor is STILL in customs dag nabbit. Will prime the helmet today probably. Keep up the good work JB!

     

    Vincent

  20. So, what happened to the most famous Stormtrooper of all?

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    what i want to know is where han and luke kept their own clothes while disguised as stormtroopers. they changed outside the entrance to the crusher indicating that it was carried with them, but i doubt their clothes and especially boots could be hidden in whatever storage area is built into the trooper's armor.

     

    They tucked it in their O2 Cannister/Thermal Detonator! Everybody got it wrooong! It's a miniature clothes storage!

  23. Why mylar strips on O2 cannisters?

    in Assembly, Mods, and Painting

    Posted

    Stormtrooper armor was fitted with air filters and fully sealed against chemical and biological attack; the armor could even protect the wearer against vacuum for a limited time. A back-mounted tank contained 20 minutes of emergency oxygen. The aforementioned body glove also provided limited thermal protection.

     

    http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Stormtrooper_armor

     

    Supposedly taken from The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology

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