[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 157 (Friday, September 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1222-E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RESPONSIBLE BODY ARMOR POSSESSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, gun violence continues to plague our streets 
and our communities. Even more frightening and dangerous is a gunman 
who is protected by enhanced body armor.
   Madam Speaker, every second a shooter is on their feet, more lives 
are threatened.
   Gun violence researchers and the law enforcement community agree 
that the armored gunman is threatening the safety of our community. 
Enhanced body armor, which is designed for military use, is 
increasingly being used in the commission of violence crimes in our 
streets, and to overcome law enforcement response.
   We have seen shootings by gunmen wearing body armor in Riverside, 
CA, Salt Lake City, UT, Pittsburgh, PA, Cleveland, OH, Binghamton, NY, 
and many other communities. In 2012, the gunman in the Aurora, CO movie 
theatre shooting wore a ballistic helmet, ballistic leggings, a throat 
protector, a groin protector, and tactical gloves. It has also been 
reported the gunman in Dayton was wearing body armor. Body armor was 
also found in the home of the Gilroy Garlic Festival's gunman, and the 
Pulse night club shooter in Orlando, FL, attempted to buy body armor to 
protect himself during the massacre. One can deduce that had the Gilroy 
and Orlando shooters been wearing military-grade body armor, the number 
of casualties would have been far greater.
   Shockingly, there are no federal restrictions on civilians' access 
to this type of military body armor.
   That is why I am introducing the Responsible Body Armor Possession 
Act which would keep military body armor out of the hands of mass 
shooters by prohibiting the sale, transfer, or possession of enhanced 
body armor by

[[Page E1223]]

civilians. The bill includes exemptions for law enforcement, active 
duty military, and other public servants whose job responsibilities 
require them to possess body armor. Ultimately, my legislation will 
ensure a comprehensive approach to ensuring public safety.
   Madam Speaker, there is nothing more dangerous than a well-armored, 
unstoppable active shooter. Armor designed for warfare has no place in 
our communities and on our streets. I urge my colleagues to support 
this critical legislation.

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