S. 4553

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4553 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4553

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the purchase, 
ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 18, 2026

Mrs. Gillibrand introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the purchase, 
ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body 
Armor Possession Act''.

SEC. 2. BAN ON PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, OR POSSESSION OF ENHANCED BODY 
ARMOR BY CIVILIANS.

(a) Ban.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 935. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body 
armor by civilians
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered law 
enforcement officer'--
``(1) has the meaning given the term `qualified law 
enforcement officer' in section 926B and the term `qualified 
retired law enforcement officer' in section 926C; and
``(2) includes corrections officers.
``(b) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (c), it shall 
be unlawful for a person to purchase, own, or possess enhanced body 
armor.
``(c) Exceptions.--Subsection (b) shall not apply to--
``(1) a purchase, ownership, or possession by or under the 
authority of--
``(A) the United States or any department or agency 
of the United States;
``(B) a State, or a department, agency, or 
political subdivision of a State; or
``(C) a Tribe or law enforcement agency of a Tribe;
``(2) a covered law enforcement officer; or
``(3) enhanced body armor that was lawfully possessed by 
any person before the date of enactment of this section.''.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``935. Ban on purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor 
by civilians.''.
(b) Enhanced Body Armor Defined.--Section 921(a) of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(39) The term `enhanced body armor' means body armor, 
including a helmet or shield, the ballistic resistance of which 
meets or exceeds the ballistic performance of RF1 armor, 
determined using such standard as the National Institute of 
Justice has in effect at the time at which a person purchases, 
owns, or possesses such armor.''.
(c) Penalties.--Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``(9) Whoever knowingly violates section 935 shall be fined 
under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.''.
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