MENG AND KENNEDY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO KEEP ENHANCED BODY ARMOR OUT OF THE HANDS OF MASS SHOOTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marking the second anniversary of the Tops Friendly Market grocery store shooting in Buffalo, New York, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06) and Timothy Kennedy (NY-26) announced the reintroduction of the Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act.

The bill would prohibit the sale, transfer, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exemptions for law enforcement and military personnel. Enhanced body armor is defined as body armor that meets or exceeds Level III ballistic resistance level – which is tested to stop 7.62 mm rifle ammunition – as determined by the National Institution of Justice. There are currently no federal restrictions on civilians' access to this level of body armor, which can be legally purchased online.

This legislation is named in honor of retired police officer Aaron Salter Jr., a 30-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department, who was the security guard on duty when a racist gunman opened fire at Tops supermarket in East Buffalo, killing 10 people and injuring three more. Salter quickly took action, but his weapon was no match for the enhanced body armor that the shooter wore.

“It should not be the case that anyone with internet access can purchase equipment designed to stop military-grade ammunition,” said Congresswoman Meng, a Member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “This is commonsense legislation, which I am proud to lead with Rep. Kennedy for the Buffalo community and the far too many others throughout the United States that have experienced the terror and tragedy of gun violence. We are not only honoring Aaron Salter Jr., who was a hero, but we are also taking action to protect law enforcement and first responders who will answer future calls.”

"Aaron Salter Jr's courageous actions bought precious seconds for patrons and employees of Tops Markets to escape, undoubtedly saving lives at the expense of his own," saidCongressman Kennedy. "He put his years of training to use and hit his target immediately. But because the gunman had access to enhanced body armor, Mr. Salter's shot was deflected, and he was murdered. This type of body armor should not be for sale on store shelves or online, and I'm grateful to Congresswoman Meng for her leadership on this issue."

 In addition to Buffalo, shootings by gunmen wearing body armor have taken place in Sutherland Springs, Texas; Aurora, Colorado; Boulder, Colorado; San Bernardino, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and many other communities. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been over 150 mass shootings in 2024.