HR-3398 — Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Gun LawsCriminal Justice & Due Process

Civilians could no longer buy or own high-level body armor — up to 5 years in prison, police exempt

Gun Laws

Civilian access to high-level body armor — buying and owning banned

Civilians could not buy, own, or possess body armor, helmets, or shields that meet or beat the RF1 protection level. Armor owned lawfully before the ban starts is exempt, as are police, corrections officers, and government agencies.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Prison for owning banned body armor — up to 5 years

Knowingly breaking the new ban could bring up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both. The penalty is added to the penalty section of federal firearms law.

More about this bill

If you are a civilian, you could no longer buy, own, or keep high-level body armor. Breaking the ban could bring up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both. Armor you lawfully owned before the ban starts would be exempt. The ban covers body armor, helmets, and shields that meet or beat a protection level called RF1. That level is set by the National Institute of Justice, a federal agency. The standard in effect when you buy or hold the armor is the one that counts. Government agencies and Tribes are exempt. So are qualifying current and retired police officers, plus corrections officers.

Congressional Summary

Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act This bill prohibits under federal law the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians. The term enhanced body armor means body armor, including a helmet or shield, with a ballistic resistance that meets or exceeds the ballistic performance standard of RF1 armor, as determined using the National Institute of Justice standard in effect at the time the person purchases, owns, or possesses the armor. Violations are subject to a fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The bill's prohibition does not apply to enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed before the bill's effective date.

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in House
Action Date: 2025-05-14
Date Added: 2026-10-02
Source: Congress.gov →

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