Are vests legal?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Ferrari308

member
Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
155
I know this is somewhat gun related, but a friend of mine just told me that in Illinois bullet proof vests are illegal.

I only asked because I was reading another thread here titled "Have you ever been shot". One guy said he was shot at the firing range, when a bullet ricocheted and nipped him in the chest.

I'll admit I'm no gun expert or even know that much about ranges except point and pull the trigger and try to hit the target. But I'm worried about having a stray hit a rock, or concrete, or whatever could cause a bullet to ricochet. I'm not so worried about myself, but everyone else using the range at the same time (like being a good defensive driver). I called a friend who knows a lot about Illinois gun laws and he said he believes it is illegal to own a bullet proof vest in Illinois.

Does anyone know if this is true, do many states make it illegal to own protective clothing?
 
While it may be illegal for criminals, body armor is 50-state legal for the law abiding, as far as I know.
Click to expand...

That is great news! The local range has ear plugs, so why not wear a vest just in case?
 
Because they start at about $500+, and they are hot, and uncomfortable.

And I am a body armor dealer. :)

Seriously though, a vest is a great thing to have, but you do not just want to buy one off the rack. Your vest must be fitted to you if you want any sort of comfort. Too big, and it slides around, too small and you are going to be miserable. Too long, and when you sit down, it punches you in the throat, too short, and it doesn't cover your gut.

Dangerous richochets are very rare at ranges. Yes, you get splatter, and you get hit by fragments, but none of those are dangerous enough to warrant a vest. (eye protection, yes). The only reason to wear a vest is because you think there is a good chance you might get shot by an actual bullet.

Now, there have been times when I've been teaching basic handgun, that I've thought it might be very handy.

There are no federal laws against body armor. But each state is different. You need to know your applicable state laws.
 
I was shooting at a range (in Phoenix) with a friend who always wears a vest to the range. I heard at least one Range Master/controller tell him what a good idea it was.
 
Vests are legal for non-LEO's in PA, however there are additional penalties should one be used while in the commission of a crime.
 
Dangerous richochets are very rare at ranges. Yes, you get splatter, and you get hit by fragments, but none of those are dangerous enough to warrant a vest. (eye protection, yes). The only reason to wear a vest is because you think there is a good chance you might get shot by an actual bullet.
Click to expand...
with the way I have seen some people handle guns at the range there have been several times I had to wonder how someone didn't get shot.
 
No disagreement there. I just don't want somebody to think that it is a neccesity for shooting because of richochets like the original poster supposed. Getting plugged in the lung by a moron is a whole 'nother story.
 
this is true.

I normally don't worry to much. Ear muffs, and I wear prescription glasses so just wear those.
 
body vest is good

I wouldn't mind wearing a body vest around some parts of Los Angeles that I have to do business in.
 
Like Correia said they are expensive/uncomfortable/unflattering to your figure and HOT. Plus they will not fit you over time.
My vest is 10yrs old. (yep old and heavy) The elastic is shot/pannels sag and my gut has also sagged. :( Still its comforting at 2am when something wakes me up and necessitates checking things out. (not recomended for everyone but my situation is not yours)
Don't think I could survive a entire range session in current weather wearing one (properly)
 
I have an ABA level IIIA vest that I bought on ebay for $150. (no, its not expired). I always wear it when I shoot around other people, like public ranges. I have a full Interceptor system with SAPI plates too, that I have worn to the range before also. Def got some funny looks from the deer hunters. Ounce of prevention..........
 
I have a Safariland IIIa. It's pretty comfortable, and not too hot most of the year. (But I'm in New England).

I do not always wear it at the range, but often do.

It's not the ricochets you have to worry about. It's the monkeys pointing the gun every-which-way while reloading, changing targets, celebrating actually hitting paper, etc.
 
They are not legal in all 50 states. I know they are legal in TN, but I was surfing around and checked a few other states. I have forgotten which ones, but I saw a few states did in fact prohibit private citizens wearing body armor.

While not complete, this lists a few restrictions. http://www.bulletproofme.com/Quick_Answers.shtml#13
 
For the record, anything equal to or greater than Class IIA is illegal in all parts of the United Kingdom.

Unless you're a LEO. Then you get trauma plates and everything.
 
Anyone have any statistics of how often someone is shot on a range accidentally by someone other than themselves?
 
I have forgotten which ones, but I saw a few states did in fact prohibit private citizens wearing body armor.
Click to expand...

That is absolutely absurd! "No, we will not allow you to passively protect yourself from violent, armed criminals." I would be moving to a state that does not regulate your clothing, pronto.
 
I've seen Russian armour on Rusmilitary.com for £200.

I think that's better than Class IIA, so seeing it's a British Website, why isn't it banned?

(or is this a part where I shouldn't have mentioned that?)
 
It's not the ricochets you have to worry about. It's the monkeys pointing the gun every-which-way while reloading, changing targets, celebrating actually hitting paper, etc.
Click to expand...

My insurance deductible is too high to play games. Even if a ricochet hit me and did no damage, I would drive to the emergency room to have it checked out and to get an X-ray. I'm not smart enough to know what the hole should look like, or if it was just a snip and not a bullet lodged somewhere. I don't want to be the guy who says "Oh, just a small little cut from a ricochet" and then goes home and takes a nap and never wakes up.
 
I think its a good idea

I had a girlfriend who was shot in the arm from a richochet. It wasnt at the range but out in the desert. They were shooting a refridgerator with an AR using some milsurp ammo. The round came back, hit her in the wrist, followed her Ulna, came out below her elbow, and embeded in her dads leg. Her uncle, who was shooting, took a fragment through his ear. I think that round had enough power to kill someone.

I doubt this would happen at the range, but is something to consider if you like to go plinking.
 
I've been hit with ricochet @ the range.

Got nailed in the arm with a bouncing .45acp, which landed hot at my feet.

It hurt about the same as being hit with a paintball, left a small bruise, and left a dot of blood.

I'll have to weigh it someday, but by heft, it feels like @ least 80% of 230 grains.

And no, I wasn't wearing my vest that day. They're too damned hot and uncomfortable. (Not that it would have helped)

And yes, I did finish my string of fire. ;)
 
ferrari, I think you are putting a lot of worry into an extremely rare rare rare event.

Call a local range, ask them how often they had a person seriously enough injured by a ricochet that they had to pull the first aid kit off the wall and or call 911. I bet the answer is close to zero. I'd be suspicous that suicides at the range are probably higher.

Also, bullet proof vests are for the most part just vests, so you still have the vast majority of your body vulnerable to the chance of getting hit by a ricochet
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
"Saved By The Vest" !!!
Replies
16
Views
1K
Combat-wombat
C
P
  • Locked
17 caliber "cop killer?"
2
Replies
34
Views
7K
Steamship Trooper
S
T
  • Locked
Anyone been hit with ricochet?
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Amish_Bill
A
H
  • Locked
Body Armor illegal in SC?
Replies
1
Views
660
atblis
A
M
  • Locked
What Would You Have Done?
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Warp
Warp
Back
Top