Now in retrospect, that's such a silly question. Why wouldn't it be legal? Body armor cannot harm anyone. It is the most passive form of self-defense there is. We're allowed to own the most advanced firearms the human race has ever seen, so why do we intrinsically feel like body armor is taboo? Unfortunately legislators get this taboo idea about body armor too, and the laws they try to pass because of it are oftentimes downright tyrannical.
Things have changed a bit, since 2019 when I started. Different states have since passed restrictions regarding body armor and it seems like every couple of months, new legislation is being pushed to ban it. Below is a state-by-state running list of rules regarding body armor.
Who Is Restricted from Legally Acquiring Body Armor?
Individuals with felony convictions lose their legal eligibility to own body armor, as stipulated in (18 U.S.C. 931). Felons may procure bulletproof vests if their employment mandates it, provided they obtain written authorization. The responsibility falls on the felon to abstain from purchasing body armor, as engaging in an unlawful purchase can lead to prosecution. Retailers are not held responsible for the usage of body armor post-sale.
ITAR Restrictions
Body armor cannot be shipped outside of the United States. It is ITAR restricted and falls under Category X of the United States Munitions List (USML). In order to ship outside of the USA a company must have licenses or exemptions from the U.S. Department of State.
Alabama
In Alabama, there are no additional legal restrictions for civilians looking to purchase body armor. In the state of Alabama, any civilian can legally buy and utilize a bulletproof vest, unless they have a prior felony conviction. The purchase of bulletproof vests and all other types of body armor can be made either online or through in-person transactions.
Alaska
Alaska allows civilians to legally acquire and use bulletproof vests, unless they have a prior felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and all other forms of body armor can be legally obtained through both online and face-to-face transactions in Alaska.
Arizona
Arizona, like many other states, has a law prohibiting the wearing of body armor during the commission of a crime. However, this law does not impact the sale of body armor by retailers.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, it is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor for individuals convicted of murder, manslaughter, aggravated robbery, assault, or battery to possess body armor. Nevertheless, this law doesn't affect body armor retailers. In all other cases, civilians can legally purchase and use bulletproof vests unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired through online or in-person channels.
California
In California, civilians can legally buy and use bulletproof vests unless they have a prior felony conviction. The purchase of bulletproof vests and other body armor is permitted through both online and in-person transactions.Colorado
In Colorado, anyone can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest unless they have a previous felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and all other forms of body armor are available for purchase through both online and in-person channels.
Connecticut
Connecticut has some of the strictest laws regarding body armor. Residents of Connecticut can only buy or sell body armor through face-to-face transactions; online sales to Connecticut residents are prohibited. Additionally, selling or delivering body armor to unauthorized individuals in Connecticut is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both. Exceptions to this law include authorized officials or members of law enforcement agencies, the National Guard, and armed forces.
Delaware
Delaware has a law against wearing body armor during the commission of a crime, but it does not affect body armor retailers.
Florida
Florida also prohibits wearing body armor during the commission of a crime, without affecting retailers. In Florida, civilians can legally purchase and use bulletproof vests unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be bought online or in person.
Georgia
Georgia, like other states, has laws against wearing body armor during violent crimes or drug trafficking. These laws do not affect body armor retailers. Civilians in Georgia can legally purchase and use bulletproof vests, except those with felony convictions. Bulletproof vests and other body armor are available for purchase online or in person.Hawaii
In Hawaii, civilians can legally purchase and use bulletproof vests, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or in person.Idaho
Idaho allows anyone to legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or in person.
Illinois
Illinois has no additional body armor laws for retailers. Civilians in Illinois can legally purchase and use bulletproof vests, except those with felony convictions. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained through online or in-person transactions. However, it is illegal to wear body armor while in possession of a dangerous weapon (other than a firearm) during the commission of a crime, which is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
Indiana
In Indiana, civilians can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or in person. The law in Indiana makes it unlawful to use body armor while committing a felony, and it is classified as a Level 6 felony.Iowa
Iowa allows civilians to legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained online or in person.
Kansas
In Topeka, Kansas, it is illegal to possess, carry, or wear a bulletproof vest during protests, parades, rallies, assemblies, and demonstrations. However, this law does not impact body armor retailers. Civilians in Kansas can legally purchase and use bulletproof vests, except those with felony convictions. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or in person.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, any civilian can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained online or in person.
Louisiana
Louisiana makes it illegal to wear body armor during the commission of a crime or on school property. This law, however, does not affect body armor retailers. Any adult in Louisiana can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, except those with felony convictions. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be bought online or in person.
Maine
In Maine, anyone can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or in person.
Maryland
Maryland law prohibits civilians with prior convictions for violent crimes or drug trafficking from using, possessing, or purchasing bulletproof body armor without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Maryland State Police. However, civilians with such prior convictions may request a permit for good cause shown. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or in person for those without these prohibitive convictions.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, it is considered a felony to wear body armor during the commission of a crime. However, civilians in Massachusetts can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained online or in person.
Michigan
Michigan allows any adult to legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or in person. Additionally, in Michigan, individuals who commit or attempt to commit crimes involving violence or threats of violence while wearing body armor face felony charges.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, civilians can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained online or in person.
Mississippi
Mississippi allows any civilian to legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, except those with felony convictions. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or in person.
Missouri
In Missouri, civilians can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained online or in person.
Montana
In Montana, anyone can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or in person.
Nebraska
Nebraska permits anyone to legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or in person.
Nevada
In Nevada, anyone can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained online or in person.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has laws that classify wearing a bulletproof vest during the commission of a crime as a felony
New Jersey
In New Jersey, civilians are permitted to purchase and utilize bulletproof vests unless they have a prior felony conviction. Both online and face-to-face purchases of bulletproof vests and other body armor are legal in the state.Furthermore, in New Jersey, civilians can face separate charges for wearing a bulletproof vest while engaging in criminal activities. This can result in increased jail time and fines, with the severity of penalties varying depending on the gravity of the underlying offense.
New Mexico
New Mexico allows individuals to legally buy and use bulletproof vests, provided they do not have a felony conviction. The purchase of bulletproof vests and other body armor is permissible through both online and in-person transactions in the state.
New York
Effective July 6, 2022, individuals who are not actively engaged or employed in eligible professions are prohibited from purchasing, taking possession of, selling, exchanging, giving away, or disposing of body armor. Eligible professions include police officers, peace officers, individuals in military service in New York State or for the United States, and other professions designated by the Department of State in accordance with section 144-a of the Executive Law. The Department of State is responsible for establishing criteria for eligible professions requiring the use of body armor, processes for adding professions to the list of eligible ones, and methods for individuals and entities to provide proof of their engagement in eligible professions when purchasing body armor.
North Carolina
North Carolina has a law in place that makes it illegal to wear body armor during the commission of a crime, but this law does not impact body armor retailers. In North Carolina, any civilian can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or through in-person transactions.North Dakota
In North Dakota, anyone can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor are available for purchase online or through face-to-face transactions.Ohio
Ohio does not have any additional body armor laws. In Ohio, any civilian can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a prior felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be obtained through both online and in-person transactions.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a law that classifies wearing body armor during the commission of a crime as a felony, but this law does not affect body armor retailers. In Oklahoma, civilians can legally purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through in-person transactions.
Oregon
In Oregon, anyone can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not have any additional body armor laws. In Pennsylvania, civilians can legally purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or through in-person transactions.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, it is legal for civilians to purchase body armor and bulletproof vests, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
In 2012, Rhode Island’s General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting individuals convicted of a felony that is a crime of violence from buying or possessing body armor. However, this does not impact retailers of bulletproof vests.
South Carolina
South Carolina has a law in place that makes it illegal to wear body armor during the commission of a crime, but this law does not affect body armor retailers. In South Carolina, it is legal for civilians to purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, it is legal for civilians to purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or through face-to-face transactions.
Tennessee
Tennessee also has a law that makes it illegal to wear body armor during the commission of a crime, and this act is classified as a Class E felony. However, this law does not affect body armor retailers. In Tennessee, any civilian can legally purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
Texas
In Texas, it is legal for civilians to purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be acquired online or through face-to-face transactions.
Utah
In Utah, civilians can purchase body armor legally and use a bulletproof vest, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
Vermont
Vermont does not have any additional body armor laws. In Vermont, it is legal for civilians to purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
Virginia
Virginia has one additional body armor law, similar to many states, which classifies individuals who possess a firearm or knife and wear body armor designed to diminish the impact of bullets or projectiles during the commission of a crime of violence or a felony violation as guilty of a Class 4 felony. However, this law does not affect retailers. In Virginia, civilians can legally purchase body armor, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
Washington State
In Washington, civilians can purchase body armor legally, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, it is illegal for a civilian to wear body armor while committing a felony that involves force, the threat of force, physical harm to another, or the use or presentation of a firearm or other deadly weapon. However, this law does not affect body armor retailers. In West Virginia, any civilian can purchase and use a bulletproof vest legally, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, any civilian can purchase and use a bulletproof vest legally, unless they have a felony conviction. Bulletproof vests and other body armor can be purchased online or through face-to-face transactions.
In Wisconsin, regulations also specify that wearing a bulletproof vest during a felony or attempted felony can result in an additional felony conviction or additional years added to the final prison sentence. However, this law pertains to certain individuals who might purchase and wear bulletproof vests and does not affect retailers.