Are Ballistic Face Masks Legal?

With tensions rising between and within nations globally, many police and military units are facing increasingly dangerous situations. Even if you’re just a concerned citizen, you might be interested in investing in items of body armour such as ballistic face masks to reduce the risk of serious injury in the worst-case scenario.

This begs the question – are ballistic face masks even legal?

In this guide, we’ll dive into the specific laws on ballistic face masks in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our experts here at The Survival Island.

 

Are ballistic face masks legal in the US?

According to 18 U.S. Code Section 931, ballistic face masks along with any other garment designed to withstand gunfire fall under the ‘body armour’ category. At the federal level, there are no laws prohibiting the purchase or use of ballistic face masks, except for minors aged under 18 years and former convicts with a history of violence.

There are a few states that have supplementary laws in place for ballistic masks. For example, Connecticut restricts the sale of body armour to former convicts of certain non-violent crimes. Plus, items of body armour including masks must be purchased in person.

Currently, New York is the only state that has criminalised the acquisition or use of body armour without a permit. Buying or wearing body armour in NY without permission is a misdemeanour.

Almost all states impose harsher penalties on those caught committing a crime while wearing body armour.

 

Are ballistic face masks legal in Canada?

Provided you hold a valid Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) or Restricted PAL (RPAL) under Canada’s Firearms Act, there are no federal restrictions on the purchase and use of ballistic face masks. However, the supplementary laws surrounding ballistic face masks and other forms of bulletproof armour can vary at the state and provincial levels.

As long as you have a PAL or RPAL, you can legally buy and wear ballistic face masks in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. These states haven’t implemented any additional restrictions beyond the federal regulations. The laws are similar in British Columbia and Manitoba, where you can obtain a permit to wear body armour if you don’t possess a firearms license.

Alberta’s body armour laws are the strictest, requiring all residents who don’t work in an exempted profession to obtain permits to buy and wear ballistic face masks and all other forms of body armour. Exempted professions include law enforcement personnel.

 

Are ballistic face masks legal in Australia?

Any protective garment designed to withstand bullets are classified as Category E firearms in Australia. While anybody can apply for a permit to wear ballistic face masks, only certain professions, such as military and law enforcement, can obtain these permits in practice.

If you believe your job demands the use of a ballistic face mask, you should apply for a permit at the local state department, though be aware that each state can have slightly different regulations. New South Wales, for example, only provides permits to those who complete approved safety courses and can justify their need.

 

Are ballistic face masks legal in the UK?

There are currently no laws that restrict or prohibit the purchase or use of ballistic face masks and other types of body armour, even items designed to withstand gunfire. However, as with most other countries, penalties for crimes tend to be harsher if the perpetrators use body armour.

It’s also worth noting that police departments and other government bodies must purchase items of body armour that meet the minimum quality and safety requirements of the Home Office Body Armor Standard 2017. This standard dictates that all items of armour, including ballistic face masks, must be tested under rigorous conditions on male and female torsos.

How do I choose the right ballistic face mask?

Now that you know whether you can legally buy and wear ballistic masks in your country, you might be wondering whether they actually work.

Most manufacturers design their masks in line with criteria set out by bodies such as the Home Office in the UK or the better-known National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the USA. To be certified by the NIJ, items of body armour comply with stringent testing requirements, which can earn them one of five NIJ ratings ascending from Level IIA to Level IV.

Generally, ballistic face masks fall under the category of NIJ Level IIIA, which means they can withstand handgun rounds up to the .44 Magnum.

 

Browse the Quality Ballistic Face Masks at The Survival Island

If you’re looking for the cutting edge of innovation in body armour, you needn’t look any further than The Survival Island. We’re a team of seasoned survival and wilderness experts that sources quality ballistic face masks and other items of body armour from the far corners of the globe. Whether you need protective garments to feel safer at home or the latest gear for a tactical unit, we’ve got you covered.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for or have any questions, whether it’s about the capabilities of our products or the laws in your area, don’t hesitate to contact us.