In additional anti-everything wackiness from the Empire State, New York Democratic Congresswoman Grace Meng apparently desires to make it simpler for criminals to shoot you. Meng has reintroduced laws – for the third time – that may ban civilian physique armor if it will possibly defeat rifle ammunition.
Meng’s invoice, H.R. 3247, which is titled the “Aaron Salter, Jr., Accountable Physique Armor Possession Act,” would ban the “buy, possession, or possession of enhanced physique armor by civilians.”
The invoice defines enhanced physique armor as having the ballistic resistance that meets or exceeds Degree III requirements as outlined by the Nationwide Institute of Justice. Degree III and Degree IV are designed to cease rifle rounds. The laws would additionally ban helmets and ballistic shields if they’re Degree III or better.
In fact, Meng’s invoice comprises a carve-out for legislation enforcement and members of the army. There’s additionally a grandfather clause for civilians who buy armor earlier than the invoice takes impact. Presently, H.R. 3247 is stalled within the Home Judiciary Committee. The invoice has 9 cosponsors, all Democrats, together with 5 from New York.
Meng, a member of the Home Gun Violence Prevention Job Pressure, introduced she was reintroducing the laws on the two-year anniversary of the 2022 Tops Pleasant Market grocery retailer capturing in Buffalo, New York, throughout which the shooter, who was sporting physique armor and a ballistic helmet, killed 10 Black prospects and wounded three extra.
The shooter, who wrote in a manifesto that his actions have been racially motivated, was sentenced final 12 months to 11 consecutive life sentences in jail with out the potential for parole. The invoice was named in honor of Aaron Salter, Jr., a retired Buffalo police officer who acquired off a number of rounds however was killed in the course of the mass homicide.
“It shouldn’t be the case that anybody with web entry can buy tools designed to cease military-grade ammunition,” Meng stated in a press launch final week.
Officer Salter’s gallantry however, Meng’s invoice is an unconstitutional nightmare that may do nothing to scale back violent crime. Like all gun management initiatives, law-abiding Individuals can be left unprotected, and criminals will proceed to armor up regardless of any new legislation. In different phrases, it might make it much more tough for good individuals to guard themselves.
Congresswoman Meng’s communications employees didn’t return calls in search of her feedback for this story.
FBI Knowledge Ignored
Based on the FBI’s landmark research, “Energetic Shooter Incidents 20-Yr Evaluation, 2000-2019,” roughly 5% of the energetic shooters wore physique armor throughout their mass murders – 16 of the 345 shooters – 5 at open areas, 4 at enterprise open to the general public, three at authorities buildings, two at excessive faculties, and two at universities.
Neither Meng nor her cosponsor Congressman Timothy Kennedy, a Democrat representing New York’s twenty sixth District, cited this FBI information of their press launch asserting the invoice’s reintroduction. As a substitute, they used one other information supply.
“Based on the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been over 150 mass shootings in 2024,” their press launch states.
The Gun Violence Archive has been debunked greater than a dozen instances simply on this web site alone. Even some within the gun-ban trade have moved on from the GVA and are utilizing different, less-notorious information sources. The GVA makes use of a very broad definition of a mass capturing, which creates inflated statistics designed to hoodwink the general public. For instance, in response to the GVA’s all-inclusive definition, there have been 417 mass shootings in 2019. The FBI says there have been 30, as a result of it makes use of a a lot narrower and extra reasonable definition.
Mainstream Attraction
Physique armor has elevated dramatically in reputation. Hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Individuals have included versatile armor and/or plate carriers into their home-defense plans. Even Amazon now presents a whole lot of choices, though you want to store fastidiously as lots of the choices are inferior Chinese language designs.
No group has embraced physique armor greater than fight veterans, and there are thousands and thousands of fight veterans. They wore plates abroad whereas defending this nation. Now, they need the same rig at residence. Meng’s invoice would cease all of this. There isn’t any carve out for army veterans in her laws, regardless of their valorous service.
Scott Burton, editor of the Netherlands-based trade e-newsletter Physique Armor Information, identified that the majority Individuals buy physique armor solely for defensive functions.
“In capturing incidents, the instinctive goal for a lot of people is usually the most important and most seen physique half: the chest,” Burton stated Monday. “Physique armor, as a protecting measure worn over this important space, can due to this fact show extremely efficient throughout capturing incidents.”
Burton was unsure what number of units are offered every year to law-abiding civilians, however believes the numbers are excessive.
“Estimating the precise determine is tough. Nevertheless, I’m certain that tens of hundreds of ballistic vests are being bought by civilians yearly. Maybe even 100 thousand,” he stated.
An Infringement
Business consultants level out that physique armor is protected by the Second Modification, and Meng’s invoice is a transparent infringement.
“As physique armor is mainly used for private safety and self-defense, we predict banning it might violate the Second Modification,” Burton stated. “A profitable ban on physique armor may probably function an preliminary step towards implementing stricter rules on firearms.”
They level to the 2008 U.S. Supreme Court docket case District of Columbia v. Heller, which held that Individuals have a proper to maintain and bear arms for self-defense and safety of their residence. Banning law-abiding Individuals from buying one other technique of self-defense would infringe upon their Second Modification rights.
Apart from, most states have already enacted legal guidelines regulating physique armor that don’t infringe on anybody’s constitutional rights.
Arizona makes it unlawful to put on physique armor in the course of the fee of a criminal offense by including extra fees and penalties.
Arkansas permits civilians to buy physique armor until they’ve been convicted of a felony.
California bans convicted felons from proudly owning physique armor, which is already federal legislation.
Delaware makes it unlawful to put on physique armor in the course of the fee of a criminal offense.
Florida makes it unlawful to put on physique armor in the course of the fee of a criminal offense, and anybody could make a purchase order until they’ve been convicted of a felony.
Hawaii permits civilians to buy and put on physique armor until they’ve been convicted of a felony.
Massachusetts makes it a felony to put on physique armor in the course of the fee of a criminal offense. Anybody can buy physique armor until they’ve a felony conviction.
New Jersey permits anybody to buy physique armor until they’ve a felony conviction. Whether it is used throughout a criminal offense, prosecutors can add separate fees and penalties improve.
Takeaways
From a tactical perspective, Congresswoman Meng’s laws is a headscratcher. She believes Individuals deserve safety from handgun rounds, however not rifle ammunition.
How does this make sense?
There’s little doubt that Meng resurrected her physique armor ban for a 3rd time with out some enter from the White Home, particularly the Workplace of Gun Violence Prevention, which is orchestrating Joe Biden’s warfare on our weapons.
Given all the convicted criminals, military-age males and terrorists Biden has allowed to cross our border unmolested, somewhat than backing a ban, maybe the administration ought to think about issuing plate carriers to each law-abiding American. We’re going to want them finally. It’s solely a matter of time.
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