Body Armor / Bulletproof Vests

[breakerilya]

The following is a description of Body Armor Levels:

Type I
(.22 LR; .380 ACP) This armor protects against 22 caliber Long Rifle Lead Round Nose (LR LRN) bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g (40 gr) at a reference velocity of 329 m/s (1080 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and .380 ACP Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 6.2 g (95 gr) at a reference velocity of 322 m/s (1055 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).
Type IIA
(9 mm; .40 S&W) This armor protects against 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) at a reference velocity of 341 m/s (1120 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and .40 S&W caliber Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets, with nominal masses of 11.7 g (180 gr) at a reference velocity of 322 m/s (1055 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Type I].
Type II
(9 mm; .357 Magnum) This armor protects against 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) at a reference velocity of 367 m/s (1205 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) at a reference velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I and IIA].
Type IIIA
(High Velocity 9 mm; .44 Magnum) This armor protects against 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) at a reference velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets, with nominal masses of 15.6 g (240 gr) at a reference velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, and II].
Type III
(Rifles) This armor protects against 7.62 mm Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets (U.S. Military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.6 g (148 gr) at a reference velocity of 847 m/s (2780 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, and IIIA].
Type IV
(Armor Piercing Rifle) This armor protects against .30 caliber armor piercing (AP) bullets (U.S. Military designation M2 AP), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr) at a reference velocity of 878 m/s (2880 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, IIIA, and III].

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulletproof_vest#Performance_standards

Could any one of the LE guys tell me what is considered a legal body armor level for a law abiding civilian who is not a member of any of the following?

-Private Security Force
-Law Enforcement
-Public Safety Department
-Federal Agency

 

[damien]

All are legal, unless you are commiting a crime. If commiting a crime, then none are legal and they can be used in many jurisdictions as either an additional charge or a penalty enhancer.

 

[breakerilya]

Are bullet proof vests available for purchase to civilians? Everywhere I look I see restrictions? Do bullet proof vests fall under the 2nd Amendment?

 

[CountGlockula]

It depends where you get them. Some companys ONLY sell to LEOs.

 

[cheygriz]

I haven't looked for the last few years, since I retired, but the old NIJ standards said that a level lV was needed to stop most rifle bullets, a level V for 5.56 or .308 FMJ, and a level V with ceramic plates inserted into the pockets for AP.

I usually wore a level llA on duty, and felt pretty well protected. I can't imagine any reason why an ordinary citizen would want to lug around anything heavier, bulkier and hotter than a level llA. Even the llA was pure torment in the summer! In the hottest part of summer, July and August, I often wore a level l.)

Even most SWAT teams don't go heavier than a lllA.

The level V with the plates is what troops in battle wear, and weighs over 20 poiunds. It's nicknamed "the turtleshell."

But they're ALL perfectly legal to own and wear. If you feel the need to spend $900-$1100 on a 20+ pound"tutleshell," and you're willing to put up with the discomfort of wearing it, then more power to ya!

 

[damien]

Worst case scenario, a whole bunch of sellers are on www.ebay.com. Here is a sample search:

http://search.ebay.com/level-ii-iia...velQ20Q28iiQ2ciiaQ2ciiiQ2ciiiaQ2civQ29Q20vest

Obviously I would try to ascertain the manufacturer and if they are any good or not. I know nothing about vests.

 

[leadcounsel]

www.bulletproofme.com

I bought a vest from them a couple years ago. Honest and good retailer with a great product. Custom fitted and about $500.

I don't know of any states that criminalize possession, but as someone mentioned they are a penalty enhancer or additional penalty if used while commiting a crime.

 

[cheygriz]

Obviously I would try to ascertain the manufacturer and if they are any good or not. I know nothing about vests.

Good post, Damien! Actually, there are only two things that you need to know about vests:

1. Buy a NEW one! No exceptions

2. Buy ONLY from a factory authorized dealer. (If they won't sell to you as a non-LEO, have a friend in law enforcement or the military buy it for you.)

 

[another okie]

If you are putting your freedom on the line by doing something that may be illegal, you should go to a lawyer admitted to practice in your state and ask him or her to look it up and give you a written opinion.

Law enforcement officers, like anyone else, know the parts of the law that they deal with quite well, such as the difference between robbery and burglary, or how to do a Terry frisk. But in other areas they go by urban legend, like anyone else. If an officer gives you wrong information, it is no defense to say you relied on what a police officer told you.

What's more, how do you know people giving advice here actually are police officers? Or lawyers, if they claim to be? This is the internet. I realize people are used to getting all the information they need on the interenet, but be careful.

To save time with the lawyer, look up the laws of your state on line, but many laws have been interpreted by the courts to mean the exact opposite of what they say, so you still need someone to check on case law for you.

 

[Correia]

I sell bullet proof vests. My company carries Pointblank and PPI.

There is no federal law against civillians wearing body armor. There may be in your area, a state or local law that forbids it however. Legal advice you receive on the internet is worth what you pay for it.

Some companies prohibit their dealers from selling to civillians. Some do not.

You can buy second hand body armor off the internet, but I would advise against it for the following reasons.

1. Body armor has a shelf life. The fibers break down over time. Most PDs replace their armor every five years. Heat and sweat destroy vests.

You don't know the history of an E-Bay vest.

2. Good armor should be fitted. As in, you need to be measured by somebody who has a clue, and the armor is tailored for you. Ill fitting armor is horrible to wear. Too loose and it shifts around and abrades you. Too tight and you can't breath. Too long and it stabs you in the throat when you sit. Too short and it isn't covering any of your guts.

I see police departments do this all the time. They've got some old armor that was made for a guy who was 5'10" 150 pounds, but he left. Hey, let's give it to the new guy. He's 6'3" 230, but we'll make it work.

 

[cheygriz]

I see police departments do this all the time. They've got some old armor that was made for a guy who was 5'10" 150 pounds, but he left. Hey, let's give it to the new guy. He's 6'3" 230, but we'll make it work.

That's why most of the older, experienced officers that I worked with bought their own. I bought a "Second Chance" level l, and a Safariland level llA. Both were properly fitted. As hot and uncomfortable as the things were when properly fitted, I simply can't imagine wearing one that doesn't fit!