Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Responsible Body Armor Possession Act”.
Responsible Body Armor Possession Act
A BILL
To prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exceptions.
Sec. 2 Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians; exceptions
Ban—
In general— Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“932. 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; or
“(B) a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision of a State;
“(2) a qualified 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 “qualified law enforcement officer” means any current or former officer (including a corrections officer), agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of the laws of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State.”
Clerical amendment— The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Enhanced body armor defined— Section 921(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(36) 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 Type III 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.”
Penalties— Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 932 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”