PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 14, 2025
Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act
This bill prohibits under federal law the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians. The term enhanced body armor means body armor, including a helmet or shield, with a ballistic resistance that meets or exceeds the ballistic performance standard of RF1 armor, as determined using the National Institute of Justice standard in effect at the time the person purchases, owns, or possesses the armor.
Violations are subject to a fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The bill's prohibition does not apply to enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed before the bill's effective date.
People & committees
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Oct 1, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3398 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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