Body Armor Laws in America Who can buy it, where it's restricted, and what felons need to know in 2026

Body armor occupies a unique legal space in America. Unlike firearms, which are regulated under a complex web of federal and state laws, body armor is a purely defensive product — it cannot be used to harm anyone. Despite this, a growing number of states have introduced restrictions in response to high-profile incidents where shooters wore body armor to resist law enforcement.

At the federal level, the law is straightforward: under 18 U.S.C. § 931, enacted as part of the James Guelff and Chris McCurley Body Armor Act of 2002, it is a federal crime for anyone convicted of a violent felony to purchase, own, or possess body armor. The penalty is up to three years in federal prison. Separately, using body armor during the commission of a federal crime of violence or drug trafficking triggers enhanced sentencing under 18 U.S.C. § 924.

For civilians without felony convictions, body armor remains legal to purchase and possess in most states. However, several states have added their own layers of restriction — from banning online sales to requiring in-person purchases, prohibiting certain types of armor, or extending felon prohibitions beyond the federal scope. Read the full federal analysis →