State rankings

Body Armor Laws by State

Body Armor Laws by State: compare 50 US states on 3 metrics.

LawPolitics & Government50 states · 3 metricsUpdated May 16, 2024Original page
6 sources

Body Armor Legality

2 values across 50 entries

Purchase Options

3 values across 50 entries

Data

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50 states
AlabamaLegalOnline or in-person—
AlaskaLegalOnline or in-person—
ArizonaLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class 4 felony to commit a felony while wearing or using body armor.
ArkansasLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class 4 felony to commit a felony while wearing or using body armor.
CaliforniaLegalOnline or in-personThe wearing of a body vest during a crime can add from one to five years to a sentence.
ColoradoLegalOnline or in-person—
ConnecticutLegalIn-person onlyBody armor may only be purchased in person., It is a class A misdemeanor for convicted felons to own body armor. There are exceptions for law enforcement professionals, government officials, and military members. "Body armor" is defined as “material designed to be worn on the…
DelawareLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class B felony to wear body armor while committing or attempting to commit a felony.
FloridaLegalOnline or in-personIt is a third-degree felony to commit crimes such as murder, robbery, and kidnapping, among others, while wearing a body vest.
GeorgiaLegalOnline or in-personIt is a felony to commit or attempt to commit a crime while wearing a bulletproof vest.
HawaiiLegalOnline or in-person—
IdahoLegalOnline or in-person—
IllinoisLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class A misdemeanor to wear body armor knowingly and possess a dangerous weapon other than a firearm while committing a crime.
IndianaLegalOnline or in-personIt is a level 6 felony to knowingly or intentionally wear body armor while committing a felony
IowaLegalOnline or in-person—
KansasLegalOnline or in-personIn the city of Topeka, Kansas, it is illegal to possess, carry or wear a bulletproof vest during protests, parades, rallies, assemblies and demonstrations. This statute does not affect retailers.
KentuckyLegalOnline or in-person—
LouisianaLegalOnline or in-person—
MaineLegalOnline or in-person—
MarylandLegalOnline or in-personA civilian with a prior conviction for a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime may file, for good cause shown, a petition with the Secretary for a permit to use, possess, and purchase bulletproof body armor.
MassachusettsLegalOnline or in-person—
MichiganLegalOnline or in-personIf body armor is needed for employment, permission may be granted for a person with a prior felony conviction to use body armor.
MinnesotaLegalOnline or in-person—
MississippiLegalOnline or in-person—
MissouriLegalOnline or in-personIf body armor is needed for employment, permission may be granted for a person with a prior felony conviction to use body armor.
MontanaLegalOnline or in-person—
NebraskaLegalOnline or in-person—
NevadaLegalOnline or in-person—
New HampshireLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class B felony to commit or attempt to commit any felony while using or wearing body armor.
New JerseyLegalOnline or in-personA civilian can be charged separately for wearing a bullet proof vest while carrying out criminal acts.
New MexicoLegalOnline or in-person—
New YorkRestrictedRestrictedIt is unlawful in most cases to purchase, possess, sell, or exchange body vests or similar items. Exceptions are made for those in peacekeeping professions such as police and active-duty military
North CarolinaLegalOnline or in-personA civilian can be charged separately for wearing a bullet proof vest while carrying out criminal acts.
North DakotaLegalOnline or in-person—
OhioLegalOnline or in-person—
OklahomaLegalOnline or in-personA civilian can be charged separately for wearing a bullet proof vest while carrying out criminal acts.
OregonLegalOnline or in-person—
PennsylvaniaLegalOnline or in-person—
Rhode IslandLegalOnline or in-person—
South CarolinaLegalOnline or in-personA civilian can be charged separately for wearing a bullet proof vest while carrying out criminal acts.
South DakotaLegalOnline or in-person—
TennesseeLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class E felony to knowingly commit most felonies while wearing body armor.
TexasLegalOnline or in-person—
UtahLegalOnline or in-person—
VermontLegalOnline or in-person—
VirginiaLegalOnline or in-personIt is a class 4 felony to commit or attempt to commit any felony while using or wearing body armor.
WashingtonLegalOnline or in-person—
West VirginiaLegalOnline or in-personA civilian can be charged separately for wearing a bullet proof vest while carrying out criminal acts.
WisconsinLegalOnline or in-personA civilian can be charged separately for wearing a bullet proof vest while carrying out criminal acts.
WyomingLegalOnline or in-person—

Quick answers

Where does this body armor laws by state data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Body Armor Laws by State - A Safe Pack; Body Armor Can Lead to Criminal Charges in New York - Pappalardo & Pappalardo; Body Armor Laws by State 2023: Know Your Rights - Spartan Armory Systems; Body Armor - New York Department of State.