Weapons
From WNOHGB Wiki
Different groups and Organizations maintain different policies on the posession and use of weapons in the IC world. Below are some links with guidelines to follow for the posession, use, storage, and transport or both personal and ship-based weaponry. Please keep in mind that these are not always absolute, so if you aren't sure about the ability to use or carry an item, ASK. Lack of knowledge is not a valid excuse, and IC actions carry IC consequences. In the case of dangerous weapons, those consequences can be severe.
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Hand To Hand Weapons
The following are general guidelines dealing with personal weapons (weapons that can be carried with a character). They are not always absolute, so issues that do not fall under these guidelines or seem unclear will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by an Org Wizard.
Possession
Starfleet
No officer or enlisted man, regardless of station, may, under normal operational conditions, carry or be allowed to carry a weapon of any kind unless one of the following conditions are met:
- The commanding officer, executive officer, or officer of the deck/day issues an order to the security chief to increase the security alert level to an appropriate status (ie: repelling boarders, possible intruder).
- A state of war is declared.
- Starfleet Command issues an order to execute a police action, in which case only the units directly involved may maintain a warlike state of readiness.
Failure to obey this policy will fall under article fifteen of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for non-judicial punishment.
Galaxy Alliance
It is illegal for non-military personnel to be armed with anything other than a knife, dagger, dk'tagh, or similar small, bladed weapon while on the surface of a Galaxy Alliance planet or space station. The exceptions to this are:
- Starfleet personnel who fall under the guidelines listed above.
- Holders of the proper permit allowing them to either:
- Carry a concealed, light weapon (Type 1 Phaser/Disruptor, Projectile Weapon, or Handstunner), or
- Carry an unconcealed larger weapon (Type 2 Phaser/Disruptor, Projectile Weapon, Sword, Saber, Katana, bat'leth, or similar large bladed weapon).
Chrysalian, Neutral, & Unclaimed Space
Unless otherwise specified, rules governing the posession of weapons or other dangerous devices are set forth and enforced by whomever controls that sector of space.
Ownership
It is not illegal for private citizens to purchase or own weapons, to keep them on a private vessel or residence, or to wear them on a private vessel or residence, nor is Civilian owership limited by class or type of weapon. Although a civilian who owns a mounted phaser cannon with serial numbers proving it once belonged to the SFMC might be in for some tough questioning sessions. The exceptions to this are:
- If your ship is legally boarded or your residence is searched, the authorities have the right to demand that all weapons be secured while authorities are present. This may be accomplished by simply placing a guard on the arms locker/armory, or transferring the weapons to a secured location aboard the boarding vessel. In either case, all weapons will be returned to the owners in the same condition they were removed provided it does not violate weapons policies. Otherwise they will be held until the weapons can be collected in a manner that does not violate weapons policies.
- Posession of any kind of explosive is illegal on all GA worlds (even in private residences), stations and GA flagged vessels (NTD, NDT, NAR, NGP) without the proper license. Explosives on other vessels should be treated just like other weapons.
Transportation
Within GA space, it is illegal to transport weapons for the purpose of sale unless ALL of the following conditions are met:
- The source and destination of the weapons is not a GA planet or base.
- The weapons are in verifyably sealed containers.
- The weapons are not being transported to a party currently in conflict with the GA.
If these conditions are not met, the crew of the ship may be considered smugglers. Weapons stored in lockers, cabins, or carried by the crew should obviously not be considered for sale.
Sale
Sale of weapons of ANY type within GA space is illegal, regardless of location (this include private residences and privately owned vessels, regardless of registry), with one exception: Licensed dealers are allowed to sell specific types of weapons to authorized buyers. Details and limitations will be specified by the type of license.
Other transactions conducted outside GA space are allowed, as long as they fall within the guidelines presented here.
Miscellaneous
Please remember that these guidelines are not absolute. They are here to advise authorities and civilians on proper courses of action. Authorities should keep in mind that civilians need protection too, and civilians should remember that authorities just want to keep the people they're responsible for safe.
Many people go around armed all the time and never get caught, but IC actions demand IC consequences, so go packing at your peril.
Using common sense can avoid many problems, but when all else fails, ASK! Send a question to your Org mailer if you aren't sure about something here or need clarification. Remember, when you make an assumption, you make an ass out of u and mption.
Space/Ship Weapons
Rules for shipboard weapons and equipment are based on the ship's registry. However, the ultimate rule is dictated by the owner of the sector of space the ship currently occupies (Galaxy Alliance, Chrysalian, Neutral, Unclaimed, etc.). Here are some guideline for the most common situations:
Possession
Galaxy Alliance Registry (NTD, NDT, NAR, NGP)
Vessels with GA registration may not be armed with weapons of any type or posess cloaking devices, without exception.
Chrysalian Registry (CIC, CAC)
Vessels with Chrysalian registration may carry armament of any type and posess cloaking devices. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Chrysalian Government. Note that posession of certain types of technology within any space other than neutral or unclaimed may draw the attention of the local authorities in the forms of boarding or worse.
Other Registry (Cardassian, Romulan, Klienwak, Unknown, & Other)
Military vessels of known governments are granted psuedo-diplomatic status during incursions into GA space, provided they are properly authorized and escorted. Civilian vessels registered under CU or RSE flags carry the same immunity enjoyed under Chrysalian registry.
Usage
Galaxy Alliance Space
With the singular exception of Starfleet, no vessel may use weapons of any kind or engage cloaking devices. Doing so is a violation of GA Space Transit Laws.
Chrysalian Space
Unless Chrysalian authorities state otherwise, Chrysalian space carries no limitations for use of weapons or cloaking devices. Notable exceptions are in the Altair and Beta Corigulae systems, where use of either weapons or cloaks is discouraged.
Neutral, Unclaimed, & Other Space
Neutral space carries no limitations for use of weapons or cloaking devices. Unclaimed and Other space (Restricted, Cardassian, Romulan, Klienwak, etc.) is subject to the Space Transit Laws of the authority that controls that sector of space.
Penalties
Assuming an offending ship isn't destroyed during enforcement and capture, the following penalties may apply:
Posession of weapons or cloaking devices by GA-registered vessels is punishable by fine (10% of the vessel's value), removal of offending devices at the owner's expense, and possible loss of registration. Use of these devices within GA space is punishable by fine, (35% of the vessel's value), removal of offending devices at the owner's expense, and possible imprisonment.
Use of weapons or cloaking devices by visiting military vessels in GA space may result in IMMEDIATE expulsion from GA borders and possible consideration as an act of war, depending on the circumstances. Part of the reason for having an escort is to protect the visiting vessel from harm so use of cloak and weapons is not required.
See Also
