Who can legally buy and own body armor

Federal law prohibits body armor for people convicted of violent felonies, and some states add their own rules on who may buy and how a sale must happen. This article sets out the federal baseline, the five kinds of rules states add, and what agencies and sellers should confirm. It is orientation, not legal advice.

The federal baseline

Federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 931, makes it unlawful for a person to purchase, own or possess body armor if that person has been convicted of a felony that is a crime of violence. The prohibition also covers state offenses that would be a crime of violence under federal law.

The same section gives an affirmative defense. It applies when the person obtained prior written certification from their employer that buying, using or possessing the armor was necessary for the safe performance of lawful business activity, and their use and possession were limited to that work. For this defense, "employer" means any other individual employed by the person's business who supervises their activity.

For this law, "body armor" means any product sold or offered for sale in interstate or foreign commerce as personal protective body covering intended to protect against gunfire. It applies whether the product is worn alone or sold as part of another garment.

Five kinds of state rules

States can go further than federal law, and many do. Their rules fall into five kinds. Each example below is one state, not a complete list.

Who may possess body armor

Some states have their own ban on people with certain convictions, often wider than the federal one. Texas makes it a third degree felony for anyone convicted of a felony to possess body armor. Oregon's ban covers a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence. Maryland's covers a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime.

How it may be sold

Connecticut requires body armor to be sold or delivered in person, and the buyer must hold a Connecticut firearm permit, eligibility certificate or ammunition certificate; sales to police, corrections and military personnel are exempt. Since July 2022, New York limits sales to people in eligible professions, such as police officers, peace officers and military personnel, and generally requires the sale to be in person. Purchases by government agencies for employees in eligible professions are exempt from the in-person requirement.

Wearing armor during a crime

Many states add a penalty for wearing body armor while committing a crime. In Ohio, wearing or carrying body armor during a felony offense of violence adds a mandatory two year prison term. Minnesota and Pennsylvania make it a separate felony.

Where it may be worn

Louisiana prohibits wearing or possessing body armor on school property, at school events and near schools, with exceptions for police, school staff and people who notify the principal in advance.

Permits and exceptions

Some state bans come with a way out. California lets a person whose job or safety depends on body armor petition the local police chief or sheriff for an exception. Maryland issues a permit through the State Police. Michigan allows written permission from the local police chief or sheriff.

Every state, with its statute

State law changes. ArmorList's page on body armor laws by state sets out, for each state, what it adds to federal law, the statute behind it, and the date it was checked. Where no state statute was found, the page says so, with the date of the search.

What agencies should confirm

Agency purchases are often exempt from state restrictions aimed at individual buyers, but the exemption depends on the state and on who the armor is for. Before a purchase:

• Confirm the rule for the delivery destination, not only the buyer's address.
• Confirm whether the purchase falls under an agency exemption, and document it.
• For individual officers buying their own armor, confirm the state's rules for that officer.

What sellers should confirm

A seller shipping across state lines has to meet the rules of the destination. Confirm, for each order, whether the destination requires an in-person sale, a permit or certificate, or proof of an eligible profession.

Sources

1. 18 U.S.C. § 931, Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor by violent felonsRead September 25, 2026
2. 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(35), definition of body armorRead September 25, 2026
3. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-341b, Sale or delivery of body armor restrictedRead September 25, 2026
4. Connecticut General Assembly, OLR report 2023-R-0301, Body Armor and Connecticut LawRead September 25, 2026
5. N.Y. General Business Law § 396-eeeRead September 25, 2026
6. N.Y. Department of State, Body armorRead September 25, 2026
7. Tex. Penal Code § 46.041, Unlawful Possession of Metal or Body Armor by FelonRead September 26, 2026
8. ORS 166.642, Felon in possession of body armor (Oregon)Read September 26, 2026
9. Md. Code, Crim. Law § 4-107, Bulletproof body armor, prohibited persons and permitRead October 1, 2026
10. Maryland State Police, Bullet Proof Body Armor PermitRead September 26, 2026
11. Ohio Rev. Code § 2941.1411, Body armor specificationRead September 26, 2026
12. Minn. Stat. § 609.486, Commission of crime while wearing or possessing bullet-resistant vestRead September 26, 2026
13. 18 Pa.C.S. § 907, Possessing instruments of crimeRead September 26, 2026
14. La. R.S. 14:95.9, Wearing or possessing body armor, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in firearm-free zonesRead October 1, 2026
15. Cal. Penal Code § 31360, Body vest possession by violent felonsRead October 1, 2026
16. MCL 750.227g, Body armor; prohibited persons (Michigan)Read September 26, 2026