18 U.S.C. § 931 — body armor prohibition.

What it prohibits

A person convicted of a crime of violence (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 16) is prohibited from purchasing, owning, or possessing body armor. Violation carries up to three years of imprisonment or a fine, or both (18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(7)).

Exception for agency-authorized LE use

A prohibited person may possess body armor if their employer is a law-enforcement agency and the possession is (a) necessary for the safe performance of law enforcement duties and (b) conducted under a written certification from the agency. The agency’s certification must be maintained for the period of possession.

Definition of “body armor”

§ 931 defines body armor (cross-referencing § 921(a)(35)) as any product “sold or offered for sale, in interstate or foreign commerce, as personal protective body covering intended to protect against gunfire.” This torso-focused definition is why ballistic helmets and ballistic shields are not covered by § 931 — federal law is silent on civilian helmet and shield purchase.

Interaction with state law

Six states layer narrower rules on top of § 931. In order of restrictiveness:

• N.Y. Exec. Law § 144-a — profession-only purchase in New York.
• D.C. Code § 7-2502 — profession-only purchase in DC.
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-341b — face-to-face purchase required in Connecticut.
• La. R.S. 14:95.9 — possession restriction near schools in Louisiana.
• Ky. Rev. Stat. § 527.072 — broader felon-in-possession in Kentucky.
• N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-13 — state felon-in-possession + crime enhancement in New Jersey.

The other 45 jurisdictions mirror the federal floor — non-felon civilians may purchase and possess body armor without additional state-level restriction.