When it comes to bulletproof vests, you may view it as a safety essential for law enforcement officials and professionals in dangerous occupations. They deserve to have ballistic protection as they face dangers every day as a part of their work. Surprisingly, civilians can also buy body armor because it is legal to purchase them as long as you are not a convicted felon and follow state-specific regulations related to online and face-to face purchases.
As a law-abiding citizen, you can rightfully protect yourself and your loved ones from danger. So the law permits you to buy and own ballistic vests, and you can easily pick them without background checks or paperwork. Still, it makes sense to understand state-specific rules and regulations before you go ahead. Here are some facts that civilians need to know about the legality of body armor in the U.S.
Some regulations apply to civilians
Some generic regulations apply to every civilian who wants to buy or wear ballistic protection. You cannot ship or bring it outside the country without Federal permission. Committing a crime while you wear a bulletproof vest is illegal and opens you up to legal charges, with consequences like additional fines and jail time depending on the seriousness of the crime. So it is only lawful as long as you wear it to protect yourself from attack or physical violence. The law does not apply to retailers, as they are not responsible for what the buyers do with the products once they sell.
Rules vary from state to state
When it comes to ballistic protection for civilians in the U.S., different rules vary from state to state. So you need to understand the one that applies in your state of residence before you buy a vest. For example, any adult in all states, including Florida, can shop body armor, unless he or she is a convicted felon. They can buy online or face-to-face. Connecticut is an exception because purchase in the state is permissible only with a face-to-face transaction. As a norm, convicted felons cannot buy it legally in the country and can be prosecuted if they still purchase it illegally.
Some civilians need protection more than the others
Apart from the legality of body armor, you also need to understand its practicality. Whether it is a practical investment for you depends on the risk levels you face every day. Some civilians need it more than the others because the risk factor runs high for them. These include emergency responders, firefighters and journalists. Shooting range personnel, judges and attorneys, private investigators, bank officers, pawnshop and jewelry store owners, and convenience store owners also need to empower themselves with ballistic protection.
If you live in a dangerous neighbourhood, buying a bulletproof vest makes sense. Even if you have limited knowledge about body armor, you can get some useful insights. Picking the right one as a civilian will get much simpler. It is easy to overlook personal protection as a civilian because you may get complacent about threats. But hidden dangers are lurking everywhere, and taking a proactive approach towards safety keeps you safe. Thankfully, the country’s law is helpful when it comes to allowing citizens to go the extra mile with their safety with body armor.