May 14, 2025
Mr. Kennedy of New York (for himself, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Norton, Ms. Meng, Mr. Latimer, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Landsman, Mr. Suozzi, Ms. Friedman, Mr. Olszewski, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Lieu, and Mr. Thompson of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exceptions.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act
.
Sec. 2. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians; exceptions
(a) Ban
(1) In general
Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
935. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for a person to purchase, own, or possess enhanced body armor.
(b)
Subsection (a) shall not apply to—
(1)
a purchase, ownership, or possession by or under the authority of—
(A)
the United States or any department or agency of the United States;
(B)
a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision of a State; or
(C)
a Tribe or law enforcement agency of a Tribe;
(2)
a covered law enforcement officer; or
(3)
enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed by any person at any time before the date this section takes effect.
(c)
In this section, the term covered law enforcement officer—
(1)
has the meaning given the term qualified law enforcement officer in section 926B and the term qualified retired law enforcement officer in section 926C; and
(2)
includes corrections officers.
(2) Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(b) Enhanced body armor defined
Section 921(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:
(39)
The term enhanced body armor means body armor, including a helmet or shield, the ballistic resistance of which meets or exceeds the ballistic performance of RF1 armor, determined using such standard as the National Institute of Justice has in effect at the time at which a person purchases, owns, or possesses such armor.
(c) Penalties
Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:
(9)
Whoever knowingly violates section 935 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.