S. 4553

119 S4553 IS: Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-05-18
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4553  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   May 18, 2026   Mrs. Gillibrand  introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary    A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act  .
2.
Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians
(a)
Ban
(1)
In general
 Chapter 44  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
935.
Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians
(a)
Definition
In this section, the term  covered law enforcement officer —
(1)
has the meaning given the term  qualified law enforcement officer  in section 926B and the term  qualified retired law enforcement officer  in section 926C; and
(2)
includes corrections officers.
(b)
Prohibition
Except as provided in subsection (c), it shall be unlawful for a person to purchase, own, or possess enhanced body armor.
(c)
Exceptions
Subsection (b) shall not apply to—
(1)
a purchase, ownership, or possession by or under the authority of—
(A)
the United States or any department or agency of the United States;
(B)
a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision of a State; or
(C)
a Tribe or law enforcement agency of a Tribe;
(2)
a covered law enforcement officer; or
(3)
enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed by any person before the date of enactment of this section.
 .
(2)
Technical and conforming amendment
The table of sections for  chapter 44  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
935. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians.
  .
(b)
Enhanced body armor defined
Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(39)
The term  enhanced body armor  means body armor, including a helmet or shield, the ballistic resistance of which meets or exceeds the ballistic performance of RF1 armor, determined using such standard as the National Institute of Justice has in effect at the time at which a person purchases, owns, or possesses such armor.
 .
(c)
Penalties
Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:
(9)
Whoever knowingly violates section 935 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
 .