Body Armor May Soon Be Banned For Everyone

In the years since the 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, there have been a lot of efforts and changes to the laws in the United States and in New York State that have the intent to make people safer from gun violence.

From renewed attempts to increase gun safety laws to establishing new supports for mental and behavioral health, many people point to the prevalence of firearms and other accessories as a key part in why so many people die by guns in America.

One law that would make it harder for criminals, and law-abiding criminals, to obtain body armor is making its way back into Congress.

New Law Would Ban Body Armor For All New Yorkers

Buffalo-born Congressman Tim Kennedy announced this week that he was reintroducing a proposed law that would make it unlawful for civilians in the United States of America to buy, own, or possess enhanced body armor, bulletproof vests, and some other equipment.

Named in honor of one of the ten victims of the 2022 Buffalo Mass Shooting, the Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act, or House Resolution H.R.3247, was originally introduced by Congresswoman Grace Meng in 2023. However, the Bill never made it out of its initial markup committee. With Congressman Kennedy reintroducing this bill, Congress will now have a chance to debate the merits of this request.

When Retired Buffalo Police Lt. Salter approached the homegrown domestic terrorist and tried to take him down, he was unable to because the racist shooter was wearing enhanced body armor. Many feel that, if it weren't for the body armor, the mass shooting would have been stopped by Lt. Salter.

The original law includes body armor, helmets, ballistic shields, and other items that can be used to defend against bullet and knife strikes.

No civilian needs this type of armor, which is designed for use in warfare. Lt. Salter’s legacy lives on through the lives he saved, and we can further cement that legacy by passing this legislation. This bill will save lives - both civilians and law enforcement alike.
-Tim Kennedy, United States Representative for 26th Congressional District of New York

Once the bill is reintroduced, it will go back into committee in Congress to be debated. If President Trump passes this bill and signs it into law, it will have wide-ranging implications across the nation.

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