Legality Class

Some equipment has a "Legality Class" (LC). LC rates how likely an item is to be legally or socially acceptable to own and carry. The availability of a given item in a particular society depends on the interaction between the item's LC and the society's "Control Rating"; see Control Rating and Legality Class.

An item has a LC only if it is likely to be controlled. Ordinary clothing and tools normally do not require a LC. Of course, every society will have exceptions; for instance, revealing clothing might be LC4 in a puritanical society.

LC4 – Open. The item is openly available in most societies, but tightly controlled societies might restrict access or use. Examples: Computer; sword; shotgun; motor scooter.

LC3 – Licensed. The item requires registration with the authorities in most societies. Registration might involve a fee or examination, and might be denied to criminals, minors, etc. Examples: Automobile; handgun; hunting rifle.

LC2 – Restricted. Only military, police, or intelligence agencies may possess the item in most societies – although some licensed civilians might be permitted to keep it on their own property. Examples: Assault rifle; armored vehicles.

LC1 – Military. The item is available only to armed forces or secret spy agencies in most societies. Examples: Anti-tank weapons; fighting vehicles.

LC0 – Banned. The item is restricted to the armed forces of certain governments, who will go to extremes to keep it out of the hands of individuals and "have-not" governments. Examples: nuclear and biological weapons.