Body Armor Laws

This page is updated regularly however the information herein is not all-inclusive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please read and understand all of your local and federal laws before attempting to buy body armor.  We do not accept returns for body armor products. Refunds and cancellations will incur processing fees. Contact us prior to placing an order if you have questions.  

US FEDERAL LAWS:

USC Section 931 of title 18:  If you are 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, and have not been convicted of a felony involving a crime of violence, you are generally allowed to own and purchase body armor.  See state specific rules below.  

INTERNATIONAL & EXPORT LAWS:

All of our body armor is NIJ Certified Level 3+ and is regulated by the Office of Export Enforcement.  It is subject to Export Commodity Control Number 1A613 d.2 referenced in Part 774 of U.S. Commerce Control List.  This means that we are authorized to ship to many international locations or end users without special licensing under a List Based Exception of $1500 per order.  Countries we are currently not able to ship to without special licensing are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macau, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.  

All states listed  in this section follow the USC Section 931 of Title 18 above.  If you are 18 years old, have no felony convictions, you can buy armor online with and use it legally with no restriction.  

States with an asterisk (*) next to them do have "enhancer" laws that add additional charges or penalties for using body armor during the commission of a crime.  

States that have two asterisks (**) have enhancer laws as well as some additional specific rules which are listed in their applicable sections below.  

Connecticut is the only state that has strict laws about body armor sales, please see that state's specific section for more info: 

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona*

California

Colorado

Delaware*

Florida*

Georgia* 

Hawaii* 

Idaho*

Illinois*

Indiana*

Iowa

Kansas**

Kentucky

Louisiana*

Maine 

Maryland**

Massachusetts*

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire*

New Jersey*

New York**

North Carolina*

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma*

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina*

South Dakota

Tennessee*

Texas 

Utah

Vermont

Virginia* 

Washington

West Virginia*

Wisconsin*

Wyoming

Washington D.C.

Body armor purchases must be done face-to-face, we cannot ship to a Connecticut address unless you able to prove that you are one of the following prior to purchase:

- A sworn member or authorized official of the State Police, local police departments, Board of Parole or Pardons, and the Division of Criminal Justice;

- An authorized official of the Department of Administrative Services or local municipality who is purchasing body armor on the behalf of an agency mentioned above with a verifiable Purchase Order 

- An active armed forces or National Guard members

- An authorized official of the Judicial Branch who is purchasing body armor as or for an active probation officer. 

*Do NOT place an order with us until you have provided the information required and received a confirmation that its ok to enter your order.  Refunds and cancellations will incur fees. 

There is an additional law in Topeka City, Kansas making it illegal to wear body armor while participating in a parade, rally, protest, or demonstration. 

There is an additional law making it illegal to wear body armor on school campus or school property.

There is an additional law making it illegal for anyone ever convicted of drug trafficking or any type of violent crime, whether a felony or even lesser charge like a misdemeanor, to possess body armor unless they obtain a special permit. 

New York currently has enhancer laws for using armor during a crime.  As of June 6th, 2022  New York State Executive Law Section 144-a  states that only people acting under eligible professions may purchase, own, or possess body armor which is defined in New York State Penal Code 270.20 as "any product that is a personal protective body covering intended to protect against gunfire, regardless of whether such product is to be worn alone or is sold as a complement to another product or garment."   People attempting to order body armor will need to provide proof that they qualify as an eligible professional by submitting a "professional license issued by a federal, state or local government; employment card or other credential issued by an employer, or in the absence of the foregoing, submission to the seller of a form approved by the Department of State that is notarized, verifying that the purchaser is engaged in an eligible profession."  OR..... To purchase a "Weight Training Plate" made from ultra hardened steel with a highly durable sweat coating labeled as "NOT INTENDED TO PROTECT AGAINST GUNFIRE" please contact us before prior to placing an order for Body Amor.