Authoritative Reference
US Body Armor Law by State
Every state + DC. Federal 18 USC 931 baseline plus state-specific overlays: professional-only (NY, DC), face-to-face required (CT), enhanced-penalty tiers, and standard jurisdictions. Click a state for full detail, statute citations, authorized dealers, and enforcement posture.
Scope: these rules apply to ballistic body armor (torso protection). Ballistic helmets and shields are not regulated at the state level — federal law (18 USC 931) also does not restrict civilian purchase of helmets or shields. See the standards reference for helmet (NIJ 0106, ACH) and shield (NIJ 0108.01) requirements, which are performance specs rather than purchase restrictions.
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Standard tier
42 states + territories. Federal 18 USC 931 only.
Enhanced penalty
State adds sentencing enhancement when armor used during a felony.
State felon broader
State felon prohibition extends beyond federal violent-only scope.
Face-to-face required
Connecticut. In-person delivery required; no mail-order to residential.
Professional only
NY (Exec. Law § 144-a) and DC (Code § 7-2502). Licensed professions only.
Blocked
No civilian purchase path; LE/military channels only.