laws on body armor

[whm1974]

Ok surfing the net I ran across this site:

http://interamer.com/

a bullet proof vest for $300 + S/H

Now I'm really not planning on getting one, but I am wondering what the laws are on wearing body armor in public in IL. Is it illegal?

-Bill

 

[Pilgrim]

Most states make it an additional felony if worn while committing another violent felony.

Pilgrim

 

[whm1974]

Well I knew that, but I was wondering if it was illegal just to wear one or even to own.

-Bill

 

[nemesis]

In Texas, body armor is legal except for convicted felons.

 

[SB88LX]

What would be the point of outlawing citizens ability to wear armor for self preservation? Thats completely ????ing idiotic. Oh sorry, i forgot the times we live in.

 

[whm1974]

To be honest guys, since when I was a kid I always thought it would be neat to have a bullet proof vest. At ~$300...

-Bill

 

[Kevlarman]

You can frequently get better deals on more well known brands (Second Chance, Point Blank, Safariland) on eBay.

 

[braindead0]

I think body armor is totally illegal for private citizens in California..

Could be wrong, but I know they freaked out after the BofA robbery..

 

[whm1974]

I think body armor is totally illegal for private citizens in California..

Thank God I don't live in California....

-Bill

 

[Kevlarman]

Nope, body armor is perfectly legal here unless you've been convicted of a violent felony.

And of course, if you're caught using body armor in comission of a crime, your sentence will be enhanced.

 

[armoredman]

Body armor is legal for pravate citizens of all 50 states. However, many of the big names will NOT sell to a private citizen.

 

[geekWithA.45]

While it is legal, be certain to conceal it well. I recall reading an FBI policy asserting that the wearing of armor was to be considered probable cause for a Terry stop and search. Their official presumption is that anyone wearing armor is on their way to commit a crime. Wish I still had the link, and if anyone in the know wants to clarify/deny, I'd be grateful.

 

[Jeff White]

Bill,
Here is the Illinois Statute on Body Armor:

(720 ILCS 5/Art. 33F heading)
ARTICLE 33F. UNLAWFUL USE OF BODY ARMOR

(720 ILCS 5/33F‑1) (from Ch. 38, par. 33F‑1)
Sec. 33F‑1. Definitions. For purposes of this Article:
(a) "Body Armor" means any one of the following:
(1) A military style flak or tactical assault vest

which is made of Kevlar or any other similar material or metal, fiberglass, plastic, and nylon plates and designed to be worn over one's clothing for the intended purpose of stopping not only missile fragmentation from mines, grenades, mortar shells and artillery fire but also fire from rifles, machine guns, and small arms.
(2) Soft body armor which is made of Kevlar or any

other similar material or metal or any other type of insert and which is lightweight and pliable and which can be easily concealed under a shirt.
(3) A military style recon/surveillance vest which

is made of Kevlar or any other similar material and which is lightweight and designed to be worn over one's clothing.
(4) Protective casual clothing which is made of

Kevlar or any other similar material and which was originally intended to be used by undercover law enforcement officers or dignitaries and is designed to look like jackets, coats, raincoats, quilted or three piece suit vests.
(b) "Dangerous weapon" means a Category I, Category II, or Category III weapon as defined in Section 33A‑1 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 91‑696, eff. 4‑13‑00.)

(720 ILCS 5/33F‑2) (from Ch. 38, par. 33F‑2)
Sec. 33F‑2. Unlawful use of body armor. A person commits the offense of unlawful use of body armor when he knowingly wears body armor and is in possession of a dangerous weapon in the commission or attempted commission of any offense.
(Source: P.A. 87‑521.)

(720 ILCS 5/33F‑3) (from Ch. 38, par. 33F‑3)
Sec. 33F‑3. Sentence. A person convicted of unlawful use of body armor for a first offense shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and for a second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
(Source: P.A. 87‑521.)

Basically it's an add on charge if you are wearing body armor during the commission of a crime while armed with a deadly weapon. Ownership and use is legal, but if you armor up before knocking over the liquor store they can add the charge on. Like so many of our other laws, I'm not aware that it's ever been used.

Jeff

 

[tarrigoni]

thre are certain things that I'll look for the best deal on.

Body armor is not one of them. Spare no expense, get the best, it's your life we're talking about.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Another note: If I had another $400 to spend, I'd consider dropping back to level IIA, rather than full blown level II. You can get IIA a lot thinner/lighter, which makes a real difference some days between wearing and not wearing.

At the time, I considered the difference in ballistic protection to be worth it, but as they say, the armor hanging in your closet won't do you any good unless your hiding in the same closet.

(rough summary of ballistic differences: level IIa covers you up through light and medium handgun threats, eg .38spc, .45acp, etc, level II covers ALL normal handgun threats, eg .44 mag, which doesn't seem to be all that prevalent among criminals )

 

[sturmruger]

I can't think of a time where I would feel so threatened that having a vest would make me feel more safe. I think I will keep the $300 and buy a new gun.

 

[Sergeant Bob]

And of course, if you're caught using body armor in comission of a crime, your sentence will be enhanced.

In addition, it is illegal to hide behind solid objects while in a gunfight with the police.

 

[gunsmith]

Do not buy ballistic vest over the internet

They need to be fitted to you when you buy one.
Don't buy a used vest.
If looks is all your interested in you can buy the carrier (like rapper 50 cent does) and wear that-without all the weight.
My kind hearted significant other bought me a second chance level three, it's hot heavy and uncomfortable and makes me look fatter then I allready am-and I love it! When I am on duty and it's just me and my .357 revolver between the badguys and 10 thousand$$$, I feel much better with it on.

Now if I can only get a CCW!

 

[Kevlarman]

Yes, I agree; if you have the need to wear concealable body armor on a daily basis, by all means get it professionally fitted.

As for me, I only wear the vest when I'm doing something particularly risky, like at the range (idiots abound) or testing my pneumatic potato cannon.

In that case, having a vest that isn't profesionally fitted won't really hurt you.

I bought a Second Chance level II Monarch that fits me almost perfectly and is very comfortable for less than $200.

 

[whm1974]

Thanks guys. I'm aware that I'll get what I pay for, but I can only buy what I can afford.
And no I'm not planning on committing any crimes. And wearing at the range is one reason why I want one.

I ride a bike everywhere I go since I don't have a car, and I also go on the bike trails a lot. Now I never heard of anyone getting rob or attacked on the trails I go on, it can happend.

-Bill

 

[gunsmith]

you

May find bicycle riding uncomfortable, I've ridden bicycles to work in uniform,you get hot quick-like 2 seconds of pedaling...

The good news is vest save more folks in accidents then shootings.
I wear mine often when riding my motorcycle.

 

[Kevlarman]

Exactly, body armor can protect you from more than just getting shot. They're designed to disperse blunt trauma, and can make all the difference in collisions. I've heard of officers survivng steering columns in the chest or getting dragged underneath cars.

Try and get a copy of Second Chance's "Saves" catalog; there are over 800 stories and anecdotes of officers who have been saved by their vests. Numerous stories are about slashing, collisions, shrapnel, etc. Good read!

 

[whm1974]

If I get one I'll let you guys know. I'll even post pics.

-Bill

 

[Treylis]

They need to be fitted to you when you buy one.

Could this fitting be done by hand? (And is it jsut for comfort?) I kind of want to get one just for the hell of it one day, but I'd prefer to not go broke if possible.

 

[Kevlarman]

Could this fitting be done by hand?

It sure can!