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New York’s new law, which bans the sale of bulletproof vests to most civilians, does not apply to bulletproof vests worn by the man who fatally shot dead 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo last month.
Peyton Hendron wore a steel vest during the May 14 killings. The armor protected him from a store security guard who fired a pistol in an attempt to stop the attack.
Crowd gathers as police investigate a supermarket shooting Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, New York (AP Photo / Joshua Bessex)
A law passed hastily by state lawmakers after the shooting bans the sale of “soft bulletproof vests.”
Soft vests are light, can be hidden under clothes and protect from guns.
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Vests bearing steel, ceramic or polyethylene plates are not specified in the new law. This type of armor can potentially stop rifle cartridges.
“I’m not convinced that this legislation makes much sense,” said Warren Eller, a professor of public policy at the John J. College of Criminal Justice.
Democrat Jonathan Jacobson, the bill’s lead author, said he would “be happy to change the law to make it even stronger”.
New York Governor Katie Hochul plans to work on additional restrictions on bulletproof vests.
“Governor Hochul is proud to sign the groundbreaking new law passed by the legislature to restrict the sale of bulletproof vests, and will work with the legislature to expand the definition of the law as soon as possible,” her office said.
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Peyton Hendron appeared during his indictment in Buffalo City Court on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. Gendron is charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to unsecured detention. Police said the 18-year-old was wearing a bulletproof vest and military-style clothing when he stopped and opened fire on people at the Tops Friendly Market. (Mark Mulville / The Buffalo News via AP)
Brad Pedel, who runs a 221B Tactical tactical equipment and bulletproof vest store in New York, said his customers are buying armor to protect themselves from potential attackers.
“It’s disappointing because residents are just scared and they come to us because they’re scared, and we offer help that makes them feel more confident that they won’t be stabbed, hurt or potentially killed,” he said. “The fact [lawmakers] take it away, whatever purpose they have in mind, I find it really sad and unnecessary and morally wrong. “
The New York law was passed in an attempt to prevent criminals from taking precedence over peacekeepers or security guards trying to stop a shooter.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul debated in the gubernatorial race at the WNBC4-TV studio on June 16, 2022 in New York. (Photo by Craig Ruttle-Pool / Getty Images)
The law restricts the sale of soft bulletproof vests to people who work in law enforcement and the military, and people in certain other professions that require protective equipment. Civil servants have not yet determined which jobs meet a person’s requirements to purchase armor.
New Yorkers are still allowed to own vests and buy them in other states. Jacobson said he hoped to repeal the decision at the next legislature.
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“We wanted to get things done as quickly as possible and not let the ideal get in the way of the good,” Jacobson said. “Like all laws in New York State, we are always trying to make them better in the future. Of course, we will try to make this law better. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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