Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kennedy (NY)
Introduced
Summary
Would ban civilian purchase, ownership, and possession of "enhanced body armor". The bill defines "enhanced body armor" as body armor, helmet, or shield that meets or exceeds RF1 ballistic resistance under the National Institute of Justice standard. It carves out federal, state, tribal, and qualified or retired law enforcement officers, including corrections officers, and lets people keep enhanced armor they lawfully owned before the rule takes effect. Violating the ban would carry fines, up to 5 years in prison, or both.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ban on enhanced body armor for civilians
This bill would make it illegal for civilians to buy, own, or possess "enhanced body armor." Enhanced body armor would mean armor (including helmets and shields) that meets or beats RF1 performance under the National Institute of Justice standard in effect at that time. Government agencies, states, tribes, and covered law enforcement officers, including corrections officers, would be exempt. Armor that you legally owned before the ban takes effect would still be allowed. If you knowingly break this rule, you could face a fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both. The ban would start upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Cosponsors
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Thompson (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Fletcher
TX • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov