Could a New Bill Ban Level IV Body Armor on the Federal Level?

In 2023, a significant bill aimed at banning the civilian purchase of Level IV body armor was introduced but ultimately did not advance beyond the committee stage. Fast forward to 2024, and a new legislative effort is making waves with a renewed push to restrict the availability of this high-level protective gear to the general public.

Be aware of H.R.8388, a bill to prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exceptions.

If you've been on the fence about equipping yourself with rifle rated body armor, your time to decide may be shorter than you think. Spartan Armor Systems is here to help you determine whether Level IV body armor is right for you (before others decide for you).

What has our feathers ruffled, you ask? It has to do with some ambitious moves coming out of New York.

What’s Behind the Enhanced Body Armor Ban?

Following the May 14, 2022, Tops supermarket shooting in Buffalo, NY, lawmakers introduced a bill in the House that would have outlawed the civilian purchase of body armor, Levels III and above. That bill never made it out of committee in 2022.

The Aaron Salter, Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act is now back, and those pushing for the legislation insist they're not going away.

Salter was a retired Buffalo police officer working as a security guard when the TOPS killer opened fire. He was one of ten victims who lost their lives that day.

The shooter was wearing Level IV body armor, which may have tipped the scales in his favor. For this reason, many states already have laws on the books that make it illegal to wear body armor in the commission of a crime.

Is This a Federal Ban on Body Armor?

We don't know what the future holds, but we can read the room and listen to their own words. "No average person needs tactical body armor for protection," says Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. You "average" people will just have to wait and see what constitutes "tactical body armor."

The newly proposed bill, H.R.8388, aims to ban civilian use of levels III, III+, and IV body armor. According to U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), "The bill would prohibit the sale, transfer, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exemptions for law enforcement, active-duty military, or others who use the equipment for work."

Should I Buy Level IV Body Armor?

The best way to answer this question is to examine what’s holding you back. Let's consider the most frequent questions when deciding whether to get Level IV body armor.

What is Level IV Body Armor?

Level IV body armor is the ultimate protection you can secure in the body armor industry. Its ceramic composition protects you against the most powerful threats while boasting other benefits over the alternatives. 

How Heavy is Level IV Body Armor?

Spartan Armor Systems’ Hercules Level IV Ceramic Body Armor weighs only 6.9 lbs per plate. Our Hercules Xtreme Level IV Body Armor plate, built with a boron carbide strike face and UHMWPE backer, is even lighter at just 6.1 lbs. That’s 2 lbs. lighter than our most comparable Level III+ steel core plate and remarkably alike in size.

How Thick is Level IV Body Armor?

The thickness of Level IV body armor is very close to that of straight-up polyethylene plates. Ours is just over one inch thick. That may seem like a lot if you’re used to looking at the thinness of steel plates. But it’s very doable when you consider the lower weight, added protection, and superior comfort.

How Expensive is Level IV Body Armor?

The price tag is the biggest hurdle for many regarding Level IV body armor. And that’s to be expected for such an advanced product. Our Level IV body armor plates run between $270 and $600 per plate, depending on which one you choose. If that price point isn't an issue, this is a great item to pick up during one of our sitewide sales.

What Can Level IV Body Armor Stop?

The answer to this question is why some legislators are pursuing a ban on Level IV body armor. Because of its capabilities. Look at what NPR affiliate WBFO-FM says: "The bill does not affect enhanced body armor that is already owned and allows for lower level armor which can be penetrated by less impactful ammunition."

Did you catch that part? They’ll still allow you to wear armor that can be penetrated by less impactful ammunition. It’s just the high-powered rifle rounds you won’t be able to protect yourself from.

In other words, the reason to keep you from owning Level IV armor is… it works. Really well.

Level IV body armor is tested to stop .30cal steel core armor-piercing rifle ammunition. So, you get edge-to-edge protection against:

·        7.62x39

·        5.56x45

·        7.62x51

·        5.56x45 M855

·        .30-06 JSP

·        .30-06 M2AP with a mass of 166 grains and velocity of 2880 ft/s

o  The Spartan Armor Systems Hercules line of body armor is multi-hit rated to withstand 3-4 rounds of .30-06 M2 AP.

Conclusion

Regarding the bill, Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) stated, “The only purpose of military-grade body armor is to stop bullets…” This much is true. She then said that shootings can be prolonged if an active shooter wears this armor. The point the congresswoman is missing is that wearing said armor can also prolong a civilian's life.

With the threat of a ban looming on the horizon, there's never been a better time to gear up with some Level IV Armor from Spartan Armor Systems. Remember, there's a vast difference between being late and being too late.