New York’s gun control bill includes tougher ban on bulletproof vests

Albany Democrats want to further restrict the sale of body armor weeks after passing similar legislation that failed to ban steel-plated gear used by a racist gunman while allegedly massacring people in a Buffalo supermarket.

The body armor ban is part of a broader gun control agenda passed by the state Senate on Friday in a special session called by Governor Kathy Hochul following the Supreme Court struck down century-old restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in the Empire State.

“This will prevent criminals from being more reckless, even more emboldened, and hopefully reduce the damage that these types of people will cause, because we feel that we cannot stop all shootings,” said the Congressman Jonathan Jacobs (D-Newburgh), the bill’s sponsor, told the Post. « The least we can do is remove protection from criminals. »

The state Assembly was expected to pass the legislation and send it to Hochul’s office later Friday or early Saturday.

Members of law enforcement and the military will get exemptions from the ban, as will other professions that will be designated by the state.

Violators could face up to a year in jail, probation or fines, with additional criminal penalties for repeat offenders.

The new law is expected to cause serious collateral damage to the bottom line of businesses like 221B Tactical in Midtown.

“I have no problem with people buying body armor because they intend to commit a crime,” 221B co-owner Brad Pedell said Friday. “I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it, but as a dealer, what am I going to do? I will obey the law.