Why is body armor restricted to LE/Military?

[biko]

True some retailers will sell to the average citizen but many dealers will not, restricting sales to LE/Military. Obviously the lawmakers are trying to keep out of criminal hands but in a way, this is even less rational than for guns.

I am travelling by boat through central america and given the piracy (although I would describe it more as "home invasion") I would really like to get an Armorshield Zulu.

[bigcalidave]

Seems like everyone sells to anyone these days. Who ISN'T selling to you? Have you seen bulletproofme.com ?

[badicedog]

Well for starters J & J armory refuses to sell dragonskin armor (level IV) to civilians and will only sell (level III) to civilians with a background check.

[joelogic]

I think getting kidnapped is more likely than getting shot in Central America. Buy a concealable vest and kidnap insurance, just in case.

[badicedog]

Why not just avoid it all together? If its for work, well that's different.

[ke6guj]

Well for starters J & J armory refuses to sell dragonskin armor (level IV) to civilians and will only sell (level III) to civilians with a background check.

that might be a condition of their dealer contract with dragonskin.

[aermotor]

Because we live among scared dictators.

[Dr.Mauser]

North Hollywood anyone?

[SJgunguy24]

North Hollywood anyone?

Those guy's were felons and restricted anyway, more proof thats laws are followed by everyone.

I got my vest at a police supply store that won't sell me a gun.

[Mayhem]

North Hollywood anyone?

North Hollywood gave us 12370

In California If you are a Convicted Felon you are Prohibited from purchasing or processing Body Armor.

12370. (a) Any person who has been convicted of a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) Section 667.5 under the laws of the United States, the State of California, or any other state, government, or country, who purchases, owns, or possesses body armor, as defined by Section 942 of Title 11 of the California Code of Regulations, except as authorized under subdivision (b), is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in a state prison for 16 months, or two or three years.
(b) Any person whose employment, livelihood, or safety is dependent on the ability to legally possess and use body armor, who is subject to the prohibition imposed by subdivision (a) due to a prior violent felony conviction, may file a petition with the chief of police or county sheriff of the jurisdiction in which he or she seeks to possess and use the body armor for an exception to this prohibition. The chief of police or sheriff may reduce or eliminate the prohibition, impose conditions on reduction or elimination of the prohibition, or otherwise grant relief from the prohibition as he or she deems appropriate, based on the following:
(1) A finding that the petitioner is likely to use body armor in a safe and lawful manner.
(2) A finding that the petitioner has a reasonable need for such protection under the circumstances.
In making its decision, the chief of police or sheriff shall consider the petitioner's continued employment, the interests of justice, any relevant evidence, and the totality of the circumstances. It is the intent of the Legislature that law enforcement officials exercise broad discretion in fashioning appropriate relief under this paragraph in cases in which relief is warranted. However, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require law enforcement officials to grant relief to any particular petitioner. Relief from this prohibition shall not relieve any other person or entity from any liability that might otherwise be imposed.
(c) The chief of police or sheriff shall require, as a condition of granting an exception under subdivision (b), that the petitioner agree to maintain on his or her person a certified copy of the law enforcement official's permission to possess and use body armor, including any conditions or limitations.
(d) Law enforcement officials who enforce the prohibition specified in subdivision (a) against a person who has been granted relief pursuant to subdivision (b), shall be immune from any liability for false arrest arising from the enforcement of this subdivision unless the person has in his or her possession a certified copy of the permission granting the person relief from the prohibition, as required by subdivision (c). This immunity from liability shall not relieve any person or entity from any other liability that might otherwise be imposed.
(e) For purposes of this section only, "violent felony" refers to the specific crimes listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, and to crimes defined under the applicable laws of the United States or any other state, government, or country that are reasonably equivalent to the crimes listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5.

Not that this law can actually stop a criminal from getting body armor but realistically most criminals don't get body armor because it's fairly expensive (Bout the same cost as a gun) and they are not use to their victims being armed in the first place

However Most businesses have the right to refuse services to anyone. So technically they or the manufacturer can choose not to sell to non- LE/Military.

[N6ATF]

Rationing? They only have a certain amount of product, and their largest and most dependable buyer is the public sector, not private citizens, so they want to be able to fulfill all .gov orders.

[tombinghamthegreat]

bulletproofme.com is one source, unsure about their products since i never bought one.

[Telperion]

Rationing? They only have a certain amount of product, and their largest and most dependable buyer is the public sector, not private citizens, so they want to be able to fulfill all .gov orders.

Doesn't make sense - why not just let the price rise? They'll fill their orders AND make more money. Dealers who won't sell to some people must have the enviable luxury of being able to turn away paying customers.

[engineers101st]

Is bulletproofme.com a good place to buy?

[M. Sage]

Doesn't make sense - why not just let the price rise? They'll fill their orders AND make more money. Dealers who won't sell to some people must have the enviable luxury of being able to turn away paying customers.

Not necessarily. It's a product that has to be high quality and has a high amount of quality control. Selling more of it means that there would have to be more made or else there would be shortages. The supply is pretty finite.

The option to get all the orders filled would be to raise prices then use the extra money to expand output, but that often comes with the drawback of lower quality controls.