Bill would ban body armor purchases
In rule targeting mass shooters, most residents would be barred from buying protective gear
In response to an increase in mass shooters wearing bullet-proof gear, Marin County's state assemblyman has introduced a bill that would prohibit most California residents from buying body armor.
Assembly Bill 92, introduced by Damon Connolly, would make it a misdemeanor offense punishable by an up to $10,000 fine for someone to buy or sell bullet-resistant body armor or clothing to people not employed in certain professions, such as law enforcement. People who already own body armor would be allowed to keep it but would be prohibited from reselling it.
The prohibition would not apply to law enforcement officers, firefighters, military personnel, security guards, firearms dealers, body armor salespeople, code enforcement officers and medical first responders. The California Department of Justice would be authorized to add other exempted professions.
Additionally, the bill would make it a felony offense punishable by up to three years in prison for a person to wear body armor while committing a violent felony involving a firearm.
Currently, California law only prohibits convicted felons from possessing or buying body armor.
Connolly, a Democrat representing Marin County and southern Sonoma County, said his bill is modeled after legislation passed in New York last year in response to a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. The shooter wore bullet-resistant armor, which protected him after a security guard shot him and allowed him to kill the security guard.
“Talking with North Bay community members during the campaign, this was an issue that was brought up several times,” Connolly wrote in an email. “Following the horrific shooting in Buffalo, New York last year, the state Legislature there passed restrictions on body armor to keep this militarygrade gear out of the hands of violent criminals.”
Connolly's legislation was intro
duced before the three recent mass shootings in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay and the Central Valley in the past week. None of the suspects were reported to have worn body armor during these shootings.
Mass shooting data collected by The Violence Project nonprofit research organization showed an increase in the number of mass shooters who used body armor in recent years. The data spanning from 1966 and 2022 showed 21 mass shootings in the U.S. involving a shooter who wore body armor with 15 of these incidents occurring after 2010.
The legislation has raised questions and concerns about limiting self-defense measures for law-abiding residents during a time when mass shootings are becoming a more frequent part of life in the U.S.
A Palo Alto company, Wonder Hoodies, sells bullet-resistant hoodies, vests, backpack panels and other items. Company founder Vy Tran began the business after a neighbor was shot and killed in a robbery while walking home in Seattle.
“Our Wonder Hoodie founder designed our bulletproof clothing for her mother and little brother who felt unsafe walking around their own community after a neighborhood shooting,” company Operations Manager Matt Holland wrote in an email. “We can't comment on how this law will affect the number of mass shootings in the future but can say it will negatively impact the access to wearable body armor that our company sought to democratize, especially for non-violent civilians seeking selfdefense equipment or peace of mind.”
Connolly said he has heard similar concerns and will work to refine the legislation as it makes its way through the Legislature.
“We have received a lot of good feedback from constituents and colleagues regarding personal protection options, which I think are valuable and legitimate,” he said.
“It is clear that we need to strike a balance between protecting public safety and personal protection.”
Marin County Sheriff Jamie Scardina said the California State Sheriff's Association has yet to take a position on the bill.
“I have not read it in its entirety and I think it's a little early,” he wrote in an email.
More information about Assembly Bill 92 can be found at bit.ly/3kI3JVQ.