The Cambridge Student’s Union has banned stickers at this year’s Freshers’ Fair, creating a sticky situation for many societies.

While prohibiting stickers, the SU’s stallholder rules do allow the display of firearms at Freshers’ Fair if they fit SU firearms regulations. Guns cannot be lived and there is a complete ban on ammunition to ensure no one accidentally opens fire.

Other banned activities include the popping of balloons, smoking and vaping, and any third party adverts.

Freshers’ Fair is an annual event that allows new students to sign up for University-wide societies. It is described as “a chance for clubs and societies to showcase all that they do for new and returning students”.

Despite a ban on stickers, many societies have been sighted distributing them to freshers at the event. The SU stated that they confiscate stickers when they are spotted, but that societies are not reprimanded further for dispensing such contraband.

Multiple societies had firearms on display, including Smallbore Club, who had a bolt-action rifle at their stand. The rifle had the bolt removed, and was unloaded and locked to the stand in order to prevent any risk of it being used. It also had a large “do not touch” sign displayed next to it.

The Clay Pigeon Shooting Club was unable to bring a shotgun to the event, due to the fact they could not make it impossible for someone to load the shotgun. Some societies also displayed mock weapons during the event, including nerf guns and paintball guns.

There were also a plethora of other weapons on display at the event, including clubs, fencing foils, and a wooden Katana.

A spokesperson for the Cambridge SU said “We always want to make sure that everyone can have the best possible time at Freshers’ Fair, including people who may have sensory challenges and therefore find sudden loud noises worrying and unsettling.”

“Every year we allow firearms as they are integral to some student societies’ functionality, but we clearly signpost where they will be present so that students can choose to avoid them if they may find them upsetting. Stickers aren’t allowed as they can cause damage to the furniture and structures that we rent for the fair, which can lead to fines (and therefore less money to spend on students). We remove prohibited items as and when we see them and do not further reprimand students,” they continued.