The bill in question, called the Responsible Body Armor Possession Act, would strip the right of civilians to purchase or own body armor. The bill reads, “It shall be unlawful for a person to purchase, own or possess enhanced body armor.”

The body armor defined in the bill is “body armor, including a helmet or shield, the ballistic resistance of which meets or exceeds the ballistic performance of Type III armor…” Type III armor protects against most standard issue rifles as well as many rounds used in handguns.

The interesting part of the bill is the exception that government employees are allowed to own the enhanced type body armor. This includes all personnel who work for the various government agencies, departments, or “political subdivisions.” Subdivisions? What constitutes a “subdivision?”

What if you currently own body armor?

Good news. You are grandfathered into this proposed legislation and can keep your body armor. Hopefully if you like your body armor you can keep it. We all know how that one played out.

So, who shall we thank for introducing this bill? It is a shocker indeed: California Rep. Mike Honda (D) and is co-sponsored by Reps. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Danny Davis (D-I.ll).

The bill has not been passed and is still being reviewed. You can follow the bill’s progress here.