Body Armor Purchase Restrictions by State
Age limits, online sales rules, in-person requirements, and felon prohibitions
Reviewed by Ethan Harper · Last updated March 2026
How Purchase Restrictions Vary
While federal law only restricts convicted violent felons from possessing body armor (18 U.S.C. § 931), individual states have layered additional restrictions that affect how, where, and by whom body armor can be purchased. These restrictions fall into several categories:
- Felon restrictions: Some states extend the federal felon prohibition to include all felony convictions, not just violent felonies. Others add specific offenses like domestic violence.
- Online sales bans: Connecticut requires face-to-face purchase at a licensed dealer. New York has restricted civilian purchase entirely.
- Age restrictions: No federal age limit exists, but some states have set minimums (typically 18 or 21).
- Enhanced crime penalties: Many states add years to sentences when body armor is worn during the commission of a crime, even if the underlying possession was legal.
- Location restrictions: Some states prohibit wearing body armor on school property, at government buildings, or at public events.
All 50 States: Purchase & Possession Rules
| State | Status | Key Restrictions | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Alabama has no state-level r... | Felons possessing body armor face up to 3 years in federal prison under 18 U.S.C. § 931. Alabama doe... |
| Alaska | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Alaska has no state-level bo... | Felons possessing body armor face up to 3 years in federal prison under 18 U.S.C. § 931. Alaska does... |
| Arizona | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Arizona has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Arizona law provides enhanced sentencing when body armor i... |
| Arkansas | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Arkansas has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison under 18 U.S.C. § 931. Arkansas does not have specific stat... |
| California | Restricted | Legal for civilians without felony convictions. California Penal Code § 31360 prohibits any person convicted of a violen... | Felons possessing body armor face up to 3 years in state prison under PC § 31360, in addition to pot... |
| Colorado | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Colorado has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Colorado does not have a specific state-level enhanced sen... |
| Connecticut | Restricted | Legal for civilians without felony convictions. However, Connecticut Public Act 19-7 (2019) requires all body armor purc... | Illegal remote purchase (online, mail, phone) is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months, $1,000 fine)... |
| Delaware | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Delaware has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Delaware Title 11 § 1449 provides that wearing body armor ... |
| Florida | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Florida has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Florida Statute § 775.0845 provides enhanced sentencing: w... |
| Georgia | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Georgia has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Georgia Code § 16-11-160 provides that wearing body armor ... |
| Hawaii | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Hawaii has no state-level bo... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Hawaii does not have specific state-level enhanced sentenc... |
| Idaho | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Idaho has no state-level res... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison under 18 U.S.C. § 931. Idaho does not impose state-level en... |
| Illinois | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required for non-felons. Illinois 720 ... | Felon possession of body armor is a Class 4 felony (1-3 years, up to $25,000 fine). Wearing body arm... |
| Indiana | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Indiana has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Indiana Code § 35-47-5-13 provides that wearing body armor... |
| Iowa | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Iowa has no state-level rest... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Iowa does not have specific state-level enhanced sentencin... |
| Kansas | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Kansas has no state-level re... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Kansas does not have specific state-level enhanced sentenc... |
| Kentucky | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Kentucky has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 527.170 provides that wearing ... |
| Louisiana | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor, with location restrictions. Louisiana R.S. 14:95.9 makes it ille... | Wearing body armor on school grounds: up to 10 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine. Felon possess... |
| Maine | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Maine has no state-level res... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Maine does not have specific state-level enhanced sentenci... |
| Maryland | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required for non-felons. Maryland Crim... | Wearing body armor during a crime of violence: up to 5 years imprisonment, consecutive to the senten... |
| Massachusetts | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required for non-felons. Massachusetts... | Felon possession: up to 10 years in state prison under state law (significantly harsher than the 3-y... |
| Michigan | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Michigan Penal Code § 750.22... | Wearing body armor during a violent crime: up to 4 years imprisonment, consecutive to the underlying... |
| Minnesota | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Minnesota has no state-level... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Minnesota does not have specific state-level enhanced sent... |
| Mississippi | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Mississippi has no state-lev... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Mississippi does not have specific state-level enhanced se... |
| Missouri | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Missouri has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Missouri does not have specific state-level enhanced sente... |
| Montana | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Montana has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Montana does not have specific state-level enhanced senten... |
| Nebraska | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Nebraska has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Nebraska does not have specific state-level enhanced sente... |
| Nevada | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Nevada has no state-level re... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Nevada does not have specific state-level enhanced sentenc... |
| New Hampshire | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. New Hampshire has no state-l... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. New Hampshire does not have specific state-level enhanced ... |
| New Jersey | Legal | Legal for civilians without felony convictions. New Jersey N.J.S.A. 2C:39-13 prohibits any person convicted of a crime (... | Felon possession of body armor: third-degree crime (3-5 years). Wearing body armor during commission... |
| New Mexico | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. New Mexico has no state-leve... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. New Mexico does not have specific state-level enhanced sen... |
| New York | Restricted | Restricted. New York enacted S.9407-B/A.10497 in 2022, banning civilian purchase of 'body vests' (defined as bullet-resi... | Unlawful purchase or sale of body vest: Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year). Wearing body armor durin... |
| North Carolina | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. North Carolina has no state-... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. North Carolina General Statutes § 14-34.10 provides that w... |
| North Dakota | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. North Dakota has no state-le... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. North Dakota does not have specific state-level enhanced s... |
| Ohio | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Ohio has no state-level rest... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Ohio does not have specific state-level enhanced sentencin... |
| Oklahoma | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Oklahoma has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Oklahoma does not have specific state-level enhanced sente... |
| Oregon | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Oregon has no state-level re... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Oregon Revised Statutes § 166.642 provides that wearing bo... |
| Pennsylvania | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required for non-felons. Pennsylvania ... | Felon possession of body armor: third-degree felony (up to 7 years). Wearing body armor during commi... |
| Rhode Island | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Rhode Island has no state-le... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Rhode Island does not have specific state-level enhanced s... |
| South Carolina | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. South Carolina has no state-... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. South Carolina Code § 16-23-520 provides that wearing body... |
| South Dakota | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. South Dakota has no state-le... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. South Dakota does not have specific state-level enhanced s... |
| Tennessee | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Tennessee has no state-level... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Tennessee Code § 39-17-1323 provides that wearing body arm... |
| Texas | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Texas has no state-level res... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Texas does not have a specific state-level enhanced senten... |
| Utah | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Utah has no state-level rest... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Utah does not have specific state-level enhanced sentencin... |
| Vermont | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Vermont has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Vermont does not have specific state-level enhanced senten... |
| Virginia | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Virginia has no state-level ... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Virginia Code § 18.2-287.2 provides that wearing body armo... |
| Washington | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Washington has no state-leve... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Washington does not have specific state-level enhanced sen... |
| West Virginia | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. West Virginia has no state-l... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. West Virginia does not have specific state-level enhanced ... |
| Wisconsin | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Wisconsin has no state-level... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Wisconsin Statute § 941.291 provides that wearing body arm... |
| Wyoming | Restricted | Legal for civilians to purchase and possess body armor. No permit or registration required. Wyoming has no state-level r... | Felons face up to 3 years federal prison. Wyoming does not have specific state-level enhanced senten... |
States With Notable Restrictions
Connecticut — Online Sales Ban
Connecticut is the only state that explicitly bans online sales of body armor. Under Public Act 19-7 (2019), body armor must be purchased in a face-to-face transaction. This means Connecticut residents cannot order body armor from online retailers and have it shipped to their home. The law was enacted after the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission recommended restricting body armor access.
New York — Civilian Purchase Ban
New York enacted one of the most restrictive body armor laws in the country in 2022, following the Buffalo mass shooting. The law prohibits civilians from purchasing "body vests" (defined as bullet-resistant soft body armor). Exemptions exist for law enforcement, military, and certain security professionals. The law has faced legal challenges, and its scope regarding hard armor plates sold separately remains subject to interpretation.
Louisiana — School Property Ban
Louisiana law (La. R.S. 14:95.9) makes it illegal to wear body armor on school property, at school-sponsored events, or within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours. Violations are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. This law applies to everyone, not just felons.
Enhanced Crime Penalties
Numerous states add enhanced penalties when body armor is worn during the commission of a crime. These enhancements typically add 1-5 years to the underlying sentence and may elevate misdemeanors to felonies. States with explicit body armor crime enhancements include California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia, among others.