Responsible Body Armor Possession Act

Bill: 116-hr-4568
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2019-09-27
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Latest action: action_date: 2019-10-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-09-27
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Responsible Body Armor Possession Act</b></p> <p>This bill prohibits the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians. Enhanced body armor refers to body armor, including a helmet or shield, the ballistic resistance of which meets or exceeds the ballistic performance of Type III armor, determined using the National Institute of Justice standard.</p> <p>The bill provides exceptions for (1) the purchase, ownership, or possession by or under the authority of the United States or any state or political subdivision; (2) qualified law enforcement officers; and (3) enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed before the effective date of the bill.</p> <p>A violator is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4568 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 27, 2019 Ms. Meng (for herself, Mr. Quigley , Mr. Hastings , Ms. Brownley of California , Ms. Norton , Mr. Engel , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Ms. Velázquez , Ms. Jackson Lee , and Mr. Carson of Indiana ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exceptions.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Responsible Body Armor Possession Act . 2. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians; exceptions (a) Ban (1) In general Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 932. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for a person to purchase, own, or possess enhanced body armor. (b) Subsection (a) 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; or (B) a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision of a State; (2) a qualified law enforcement officer; or (3) enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed by any person at any time before the date this section takes effect. (c) In this section, the term qualified law enforcement officer means any current or former officer (including a corrections officer), agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of the laws of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 932. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians. . (b) Enhanced body armor defined Section 921(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: (36) 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 Type III 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: (8) Whoever knowingly violates section 932 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. .