Is Body Armor Legal in the United States?

Every day, we receive inquiries such as, "Is body armor legal in California?" or "Is body armor legal in New York?" In the United States, law-abiding citizens have the right to protect themselves and their families using body armor and/or bulletproof vests. According to federal law, only individuals convicted of violent felony crimes are prohibited from purchasing or owning body armor. (Federal Body Armor Law)

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It is crucial to understand that federal and state body armor laws can change over time, making it essential to stay informed about current body armor regulations.

Here are some basic insights into body armor laws for various states. The following list has been updated recently, but individual state laws may change, so it remains important to keep yourself informed.

Alabama
No specific body armor regulations are present in Alabama. As per federal law, adults can purchase and wear body armor unless they have a previous felony conviction.

Alaska
Similar to federal regulations, Alaska has no particular rules regarding body armor; adults can purchase and wear it unless they have a felony conviction.

Arizona
Under Arizona law, adults can purchase and wear body armor unless they have a felony conviction. However, it is illegal to commit a crime while wearing body armor, which is classified as a class 4 felony.

State of Arizona Body Armor Law

Arkansas
Arkansas residents can also purchase and wear body armor under federal law, though it is illegal to wear it during the commission of a crime.

State of Arkansas Body Armor Law

California
California citizens are permitted to use body armor as a protective measure, with the exception of those with felony convictions.

Colorado
The laws mirror those of California, allowing adults to protect themselves with body armor, barring prior felony convictions.

Connecticut
Connecticut enforces some of the strictest body armor laws in the U.S. Possessing body armor is considered a class A misdemeanor for certain felony offenders, and sales can only be conducted face-to-face, barring online transactions.

State of Connecticut Body Armor Law

Delaware
Delaware follows federal regulations on body armor, allowing adults to possess it unless they have a felony record, while also prohibiting crime while wearing it.

Florida
Florida aligns with federal law, permitting adults to acquire body armor but also prohibiting its use during the commission of a crime.

Georgia
Georgia adopts similar restrictions, allowing lawful possession of body armor unless prior felony convictions exist, while also criminalizing its use in crimes.

Idaho
Following federal guidelines, Idaho permits the purchase and use of body armor, with restrictions mirroring those of previous states.

Illinois
In Illinois, adults may purchase body armor, but if one wears it while possessing other dangerous weapons during a crime, it constitutes a Class A misdemeanor.

State of Illinois Body Armor Law

Indiana
In Indiana, body armor can be purchased unless the user has a felony record. However, using body armor during a felony may lead to further charges.

Iowa
Iowa does not impose additional regulations; adults are free to purchase body armor, barring felony convictions.

Kansas
Though Kansas has no specific regulations, the city of Topeka restricts wearing body armor in public demonstrations.

Kentucky
Similar to previous states, Kentucky allows the purchase and use of body armor under federal law.

Louisiana
Louisiana regulations mirror federal laws, with additional restrictions against wearing armor on school properties during criminal acts.

Maine
Maine's laws are consistent with federal guidelines, allowing adults to own body armor unless they have felony convictions.

Maryland
Maryland also follows federal guidelines, but individuals with prior violent crimes or drug trafficking records require a permit to possess body armor.

State of Maryland Body Armor Law

Massachusetts
Residents can purchase body armor under federal regulations, although committing a crime while wearing it is prohibited.

Michigan
Michigan laws align with federal regulations, allowing adult residents full access to body armor.

Minnesota
Adult residents can purchase body armor barring felony convictions, consistent with federal laws.

Mississippi
Mississippi also permits adults to acquire body armor under federal law.

Missouri
Similar to other states, adults can buy and wear body armor if they have no prior felony convictions.

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Montana
Montana residents enjoy similar protection under federal law concerning body armor possession.

Nebraska
Nebraska is consistent with federal law, allowing body armor purchases except for those with felony convictions.

Nevada
Like other states, Nevada permits body armor possession aligning with federal laws.

New Hampshire
Body armor ownership is allowed unless a felony is committed while wearing it, which would be classified as a Class B Felony.

State of New Hampshire Body Armor Law

New Jersey
As per New Jersey law, body armor purchases are allowed except for those with felony convictions, while wearing it to commit crimes incurs additional charges.

State of New Jersey Body Armor Law

New Mexico
Like many other states, New Mexico follows the federal regulations regarding body armor possession.

New York
As of July 5, the sale of body armor in New York has become a class A misdemeanor for initial offenses and a class E felony for subsequent offenses, limiting sales to specific professions. Unauthorized vendors face severe penalties.

State of New York Body Armor Law

North Carolina
North Carolina adheres to federal law, allowing the purchase and use of body armor unless previously incarcerated for a felony.

North Dakota
No specific restrictions exist in North Dakota, in keeping with federal regulations.

Ohio
According to federal guidelines, body armor purchase is permitted for adults without felony convictions in Ohio.

Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows for lottery purchasing but prohibits crimes while using body armor.

Oregon
As per federal law, Oregon residents are authorized to possess body armor.

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania abides by federal law regarding the purchase of body armor.

South Carolina
In harmony with federal regulations, South Carolina residents can purchase body armor provided they do not have felony convictions.

South Dakota
Similarly, South Dakota adheres to the federal guidelines concerning body armor purchases.

Tennessee
Tennessee permits adults to acquire body armor unless they are prohibited due to felony convictions, additionally making crimes committed while wearing body armor illegal.

Texas
Texas allows adults to purchase and wear body armor under similar federal provisions.

Utah
Utah's legislation permits body armor purchases for adults without felony convictions.

Vermont
Vermont permits body armor purchase and use under the same federal stipulations.

Virginia
Virginia also follows federal law, with added penalties for committing violent crimes while wearing body armor, classifying such actions as Class 4 felonies.

State of Virginia Body Armor Law

Washington
Continuing federal regulations, residents of Washington can purchase and use body armor barring felony convictions.

West Virginia
West Virginia enforces similar laws regarding body armor, qualifying it for legal purchase under federal mandates.

State of West Virginia Body Armor Law

Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents are legally allowed to purchase body armor unless previously convicted of felonies, and specific crimes involving armor are prohibited.

State of Wisconsin Body Armor Law

Wyoming
Wyoming permits adult purchases of body armor in line with federal law provisions.

Washington D.C.
Under federal guidelines, Washington D.C. allows adults to purchase body armor unless they have felony convictions.

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