Leave Your Laser Pointer (And Other Things) Home for the 2013 Inauguration

Here's the official list of what is prohibited from the inauguration ceremony, inauguration parade and elsewhere. This information comes from inauguration.dc.gov:

The U.S. Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police, and other local and federal agencies are providing an unprecedented level of security for the inauguration.

• All parade and event attendees are subject to a thorough security screening before entering any of the inaugural event sites.
• Please allow for additional time for this security screening.

As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from the inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the inaugural balls:

• Aerosols
• Ammunition
• Animals other than helper/guide dogs
• Backpacks
• Bags and signs exceeding size restrictions (8"x6"x4")
• Bicycles
• Balloons
• Coolers
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Glass or thermal containers
• Laser pointers
• Mace / Pepper spray
• Packages
• Structures
• Supports for signs and placards
• Weapons of any kind
• Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

Signs and placards must be made only of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than 3 feet in width, 20 feet in length and ¼ inch in thickness. Surrendered items will not be returned, nor available for pickup.

The following items will be prohibited from the ticketed viewing areas at the U.S. Capitol grounds:

• Aerosol sprays
• Air horns
• Alcoholic beverages
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Backpacks
• Coolers
• Duffel bags
• Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
• Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
• Glass containers
• Knives, blades or sharp objects (of any length)
• Large bags
• Laser pointers
• Mace and/or pepper spray
• Packages
• Pocket or hand tools, such as “Leatherman” tools
• Portable chairs (other than those for disabled persons)
• Posters
• Signs
• Sticks or poles
• Strollers
• Suitcases
• Thermoses
• Umbrellas
• Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screener

For more information on the 2013 presidential inauguration, click here.