Social media drags NYPD after it confiscates Final Fantasy prop sword

An NYPD social media post bragging about police officers arresting a man with a gun drew the attention of users who recognized the weapon as a gunblade from Final Fantasy.

Cosplay is one of the more popular components of nerd culture. Fans make increasingly elaborate costumes, which are enhanced by increasingly realistic props.

Unfortunately, that realism often winds up running amok with the real world, as more realistic firearms and bladed weapons create safety concerns, especially at conventions or in public spaces.

This does lead to some unfortunate encounters, where the intersection between concerns over public safety and social media leads to some peculiar moments.

NYPD mocked on Twitter after seemingly confiscating a Final Fantasy cosplay sword

As originally reported by DailyDot, the NYPD shared to its official NYPD News account that it had responded to a call of a man with a gun.

They noted in the tweet that officers had confiscated both a fake FBI badge and a weapon. However, social media was quick to note the weapon appeared to be from a video game.

Recently, your @nypd90pct patrol cops responded to a call of a man with a gun in Brooklyn.

Thanks to their swift response & help from the community, an individual (currently on probation) possessing this weapon & fake FBI shield was safely apprehended & taken to jail. pic.twitter.com/QbacGpN5bx

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 2, 2024

Users on Twitter pointed out that the weapon appears to be a cosplay prop of the gunblade used by Squall Leonhart in Final Fantasy VIII, a PlayStation 1 RPG from 1999, as well as appearances throughout the Kingdom Hearts franchise.

Others pointed out that the prop gun, which can be found on Amazon for around $50, does not even have holes drilled in its revolver to hold bullets, and felt it should not have been mistaken for a firearm.

Regardless, social media had a field day, dragging the NYPD as it believed they had simply arrested a video game cosplayer carrying a prop sword.

“Was his name Squall?” one user joked, with a gif of Squall swinging his gunblade.

“Did he remember to press r1 as the strike lands with the gunblade to do extra damage?” another added, referencing a mechanic from the original game.

“The ringleader remains at large,” one user said, with an accompanying GIF of Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII.

While the prop gun isn’t designed to hold bullets, it is worth pointing out that it is still a bladed weapon. The Amazon listing states it has a 20 1/2″ stainless steel blade, with the total prop measuring around 26″ long.

According to the NYC website, New York City law “prohibits carrying a knife that can be seen in public, including wearing a knife outside of your clothing,” which applies “even if the blade is not exposed.” It also prohibits the public possession of a knife with a blade that is four inches or longer.