Body armor restriction bill reintroduced in Congress 2 years after 5/14 mass shooting in Buffalo

WASHINGTON, DC, USA — As we mark two years since the Buffalo shootings, the issue of body armor has come up again.

Police say it’s something the shooter wore on 5-14. 2 On Your Side has re-examined the status of this issue.

In Congress, it’s now a reintroduction of a reintroduction.

The Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Act was introduced this session by Rep. Grace Meng of Queens and co-sponsored by newly sworn-in U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy.

The Buffalo Democrat spoke on the House floor yesterday about the actions of posthumously promoted Lt. Aaron Salter. He is a retired Buffalo police officer turned Tops Market armed security guard who literally put his life on the line that terrible day by firing his pistol at the shooter.

Kennedy said: “He died a hero. Delaying the shooter and giving more people precious seconds to escape. Lieutenant Salter did not hesitate. He opened fire on the target. But thanks to the vest gunman’s bulletproof armor, he remained unharmed and returned killing Lieutenant Salter.”

At a news conference last year, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia showed off an example of this military-grade body armor. These are essentially composite plates made of metal, ceramic or plastic that can be slipped into a vest.

The bill proposed by Congress would again prevent the sale, transfer or possession of enhanced body armor with specified Level 3 protection, capable of stopping a 7.62 round with exemptions for the forces of order and the army.

In previous sessions of Congress, the measure was referred to the Judiciary Committee and then stalled in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.

Opponents say it would also deprive the public of the right to obtain protection.

New York State is one of the few that also restricts body armor, but it was pointed out that the 5/14 shooter got his body armor elsewhere.

Currently, federal law only prevents people with a history of violent crime from obtaining or possessing body armor.

New York State actually allows certain professions other than law enforcement, such as journalists, to wear bulletproof vests in situations perceived as dangerous. The State of Connecticut also restricts possession and transfer.

The website Stateline reports that some states may add criminal penalties when sentencing a person who commits a crime while wearing body armor.