Vests Are Illegal??

[Daedalus7]

Where does one even get a "bulletproof" vest? I've looked at the usual tacticool places; rangerjoes.com, uscav, lapolicegear.com, and various surplus and uniform stores in my area. None of them will sell to a non-LEO or non-Military Procurement officer.

Galls will sell one to you. There's a section on their site that says "by purchasing body armor, you are certifying that you are not a convicted felon, are not a prohibited person, etc etc."

 

[Zoogster]

During the commission of a crime is vague however. So if the person is doing something that warrants attention then they are probably in violation by wearing the vest.
If someone is speeding(criminaly) or drunk driving or reckless driving etc, and are wearing body armor when pulled over then they just used it in the commission of a crime. It does not say in the commission of a felony crime most places, or a even a violent crime, it says a crime. So yes even someone without any prior record could be in trouble for possessing or wearing body armor.

Brandishing your firearm in self defense for example while wearing body armor could easily be multiple charges. Some triggering others.

 

[Richmond]

typical statute

A typical statute, from my jurisdiction - MN

609.486 COMMISSION OF CRIME WHILE WEARING OR POSSESSING A
BULLET-RESISTANT VEST.
A person who commits or attempts to commit a gross misdemeanor or felony while wearing
or possessing a bullet-resistant vest is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced
to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000,
or both. Notwithstanding section 609.04, a prosecution for or conviction under this section is
not a bar to conviction of or punishment for any other crime committed by the defendant as
part of the same conduct.
As used in this section, "bullet-resistant vest" means a bullet-resistant garment that provides
ballistic and trauma protection.
History: 1990 c 439 s 1

While limited to gross misdemeanors (crimes punishable by up to one year in jail) and felonies, it would seem to apply to a second offense DWI (gross misdemeanor) while you had a vest in the car for example.

BTW, I have not seen this charged, and neither has the prosecutor who does firearms offenses in my area. I will check around and see if there have be many, if any, offenses charged in this state.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a vest that was being thrown away by a military guy (brand new). I "rescued" it and have it stored in my closet. I hope there will never be a need for it, but it is nice to have it available if the need should arise.