WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joined by colleagues, gun violence prevention activists, and leaders from Western New York on Wednesday, Congressman Tim Kennedy announced the introduction of the Aaron Salter, Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act, named in honor of the late Lockport resident and former Buffalo police lieutenant.
The legislation would prohibit the ownership or sale of enhanced military grade body armor by civilians.
While working as an armed security guard on May 14, 2022, a domestic terrorist opened fire on innocent shoppers and Tops employees. Salter utilized his extensive police training and immediately returned fire, hitting the attacker and buying precious seconds for others to flee. Due to Salter’s selfless heroism, lives were undoubtedly saved, Kennedy said. Tragically, the shooter’s body armor deflected Salter’s shots and he was killed.
“Three years ago today, my hometown of Buffalo, joined an ever-growing list of cities victimized by domestic terrorism,” Kennedy said. “Lt. Salter, a 30-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department, was working that day at Tops as an armed security guard. When gunshots rang out, his decades of training and experience kicked into action. Without hesitation, he drew his weapon and opened fire on the terrorist, hitting his target. But because that hate-filled killer was protected by military-grade RF1 body armor, he was unharmed, and returned fire, killing Lt. Salter.
“This is common sense legislation. It protects police. It protects the public. And, if enacted, it will save lives, just like Lt. Aaron Salter, Jr. did on that terrible day.
Enhanced body armor has been used in multiple mass shootings across the country. Enhanced body armor, generally designed to withstand rifle ammunition, is specifically defined as armor meeting or exceeding the National Institute of Justice’s RF1 ballistic resistance standard. Currently, this kind of military-grade body armor is legal for civilians in most states to purchase online without federal restrictions. This legislation seeks to change this by prohibiting its sale, transfer, or possession by civilians, while exempting law enforcement and military personnel. Doing so will ensure that this equipment cannot be used by individuals looking to commit acts of violence.
This bill has been endorsed by the following organizations: Everytown, GIFFORDS, Brady, Newtown Action Alliance, and the Fraternal Order of Police. Additionally, the legislation is cosponsored by the following 20 Members of Congress: Nikki Budzinski, Troy Carter, Adriano Espaillat, Lauren Friedman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Dan Goldman, Hank Johnson, Greg Landsman, George Latimer, Ted Lieu, Grace Meng, George Morelle, Jerry Nadler, Johnny Olszewski, Mary Gay Scanlon, Thomas Suozzi, Paul Tonko, Bennie Thompson, Nydia Velázquez, and Nikema Williams.
Vanessa Gonzalez, vice president of Government & Political Affairs at GIFFORDS said, “Mass shooters in military-style body armor have a deadly advantage — one that cost Officer Aaron Salter, Jr. his life. The gunman who killed him and nine others in Buffalo used body armor, designed to protect our troops, to carry out his racist attack and evade law enforcement. The Aaron Salter, Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act would help ensure this equipment, intended to defend those who serve our country, doesn’t fall into the hands of those who seek to do our country harm. We’re grateful to Representatives Kennedy and Meng for reintroducing this lifesaving legislation.”
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.
This legislation was previously introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06).