A cosplay enthusiast was fined S$1,000 after pleading guilty to one charge under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) for his act of pulling out and cocking a replica gun in Yishun in 2015, according to Yahoo! News Singapore.

Timothy Tan Zhi Yu, 26, was not represented by any lawyer.

On Sept. 23, 2015, Tan carried a replica handgun in his haversack and walked near Block 314 Yishun Ring Road.

It was one of 17 replica guns he had bought from a shop in Funan Centre.

While walking towards an open space car park, Tan took out the replica handgun from the bag and placed it in his pants.

When he took the weapon out again and cocked it while walking, his action was witnessed by a passer-by who then alerted the police.

About 50 officers from the Special Operations Command, the Special Tactical and Rescue Team, and Criminal Investigation Department went to the scene.

CCTV footage provided positive identification of Tan who was arrested in his home. All of his replica guns have since been confiscated.

Are replica guns allowed?

Owning replica guns in Singapore require a special permit. Stores who sell replicas or import replicas are also subject to official approval.

According to Black Tactical, one of the stores in Singapore that deals in tactical gear and replicas, all modified guns are to be kept solely for display purposes at home and should not be carried in public places or in view of the public.

Anyone who needs to carry anything that resembles a gun in public that may cause unnecessary alarm to any member the public should contact the Police Licensing Division at 6835 0000 for approval.

Cosplay conventions in Singapore usually have strict rulings with regards to fake firearms.

In a competition in last year's Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC), prop weapons were only allowed provided they were made of lightweight material like foam, and cannot be mistaken for real weapons. Even then, the barrel of all prop firearms must be covered with brightly-colored caps.

Top photo via Pixabay

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