Is It Legal to Own a Bulletproof Vest?

In this Is it Legal to Own a Bulletproof Vest Guide, we’ll take a more detailed look at the legalities of bulletproof vest ownership in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

Whether you work in a high-risk occupation or just want to protect yourself from the increasing risk of violence as a concerned citizen, a bulletproof vest might just save your life in the unlikely event it’s ever put to the test.

But is it even legal to own a bulletproof vest where you live?

In countries like the USA, Canada and the UK, ordinary citizens face very few regulations over the use and ownership of ballistic vests, but laws are far stricter in Australia. Plus, ownership requirements differ by province or state in just about all the aforementioned nations.

At The Survival Island, we safely and legally ship bulletproof vests to all corners of the world. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the seasoned survival experts here at The Survival Island.

 

Is it legal to own a bulletproof vest in Australia?

In Australia under the Australian Firearms Act, ballistic body armour is officially classified as a Category E firearm. This means that regardless of your state, you can only purchase, own and wear body armour legally with a permit from your local state or police authority.

Many people believe that citizens are banned from owning body armour in Australia full stop. However, all citizens can request a permit to purchase a bulletproof vest. In practice, the government only grants permits to police and military personnel, plus people in certain professions such as security.

While citizens are unlikely to be able to purchase ballistic vests, they may be able to own and even use a stab-proof vest as these are less regulated in most states – New South Wales classifies them as a prohibited weapon, while permits are required in Victoria and South Australia.

In all other Australian states, you don’t need a specific government-issued permit in order to legally own a stab-proof vest for ‘legitimate purposes’. As such, many stab-proof vest suppliers require you to prove your occupation before they will sell you a vest. Many suppliers limit sales to occupations such as:

•         Security officers
•         Police and military personnel
•         Paramedics
•         Rangers
•         Crowd controllers
•         Medical personnel
•         Media professionals in high-risk environments

Is it legal to own a bulletproof vest in Canada?

The legality of bulletproof vest ownership in Canada is mostly regulated at the provincial level. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can purchase and own bulletproof vests without breaking federal laws provided you have a valid Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) or Restricted PAL (RPAL).

There are no additional restrictions on body armour in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. As long as you have a valid firearms licence under Canada’s Firearms Act, you won’t face any regulations on purchasing or owning armour.

In Alberta, you must obtain a permit to own body armour under the Body Armour Control Act. Certain professions are exempted from this regulation, such as police officers.

Similar rules have been established in British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

In just about all provinces, you’ll need a valid PAL or RPAL to get the additional body armour permit.

 

Is it legal to own a bulletproof vest in the US?

In most US states, law-abiding citizens face few to zero regulations on the use and ownership of bulletproof vests. At the federal level, only citizens with previous convictions for violent crimes are prohibited from purchasing and owning body armour. Naturally, it’s also illegal to purchase a vest with the intent to wear it while committing a crime. Criminals are usually given more severe sentences as a consequence of wearing body armour.

However, some states have implemented supplementary regulations, and a few states have laws regarding the use of ballistic vests.

New York has notably made it illegal for all citizens except for those working in exempted occupations to possess, buy or use a bulletproof vest. Examples of exempted occupations include police officers, military personnel and peace officers.

In Louisiana, it’s legal to own a bulletproof vest but a crime to wear it in firearm-free zones such as school properties, government properties, and school-sponsored events. In Illinois, wearing a ballistic vest or any other type of body armour while carrying a dangerous weapon is a criminal offence.

Make sure to check your state’s laws before purchasing a ballistic vest. For example, in some states, anybody with a prior conviction, whether for a violent crime or basic misdemeanour, is banned from buying and owning armour.

 

Is it legal to own a bulletproof vest in the UK?

Despite having a reputation for strict regulations on weapons, the UK currently has no regulations on the purchase or ownership of body armour that includes bulletproof vests. This is contrary to the European Union, where civilians are forbidden from owning any form of ballistic protection designed primarily for military use.

Provided you purchase your vest from a legitimate supplier, and you have no unlawful intentions, you shouldn’t face any hurdles when it comes to buying armour.

You should only purchase ballistic vests that adhere to the strict standards set by the UK Home Office. While this is not a legal requirement, Home Office certification gives you peace of mind that your vest has been tested in line with strict compliance measures. You can think of the Home Office certification as similar to the NIJ standards in the USA.

While you’re free to purchase any body armour you like, certified or not, employers have a legal duty to make sure employees have adequate protection for their work. Employers who fail to provide adequate protection can face charges that include corporate manslaughter.

 

Browse Our Quality Bulletproof Vests Today

If you work in a high-risk occupation and don’t settle for anything but the best when it comes to your safety and very survival, you’ll be glad to know that we only source fully certified bulletproof vests from the most esteemed manufacturers on the planet.

Concerned citizen wondering whether you can own a bulletproof vest in your local area? Give us a call, and we’ll fill in the gaps.

At The Survival Island, we’re a team of survival and wilderness experts that stocks everything you need to feel and remain safe. Browse our bulletproof vests today or call us for more information.