SHARONVILLE, Ohio ( WKRC) – After the most recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, lawmakers could soon be discussing regulating the sale of body armor. The Senate’s top Democrat says he’s introducing legislation to require the FBI to regulate the sale of body armor. Sen. Chuck Schumer said this weekend the bureau would set standards on who would be eligible to purchase bullet-resistant vests and body armor.
"This is new; no one’s tried it before. We've seen body armor be used far more frequently by mass killers. Hopeful this would not get much opposition,” said Schumer.
Federal investigators revealed Monday that a friend of the Dayton shooter actually purchased the body armor for Conner Betts. That purchase was legal. The only way you can’t buy body armor is if you’re a felon.
Nonetheless, people on both sides of the gun issue have issues with these mass killers suiting up with tactical/safety gear.
"As an enthusiast, it sickens me that people are using stuff like this in an offensive manner, which is 1 million percent illegal,” said Target Word Sales Manager Jon Villing.
Villing says body armor is a popular purchase among the store's clients.
"We offer both hard armor and soft armor as a self-defense mechanism for bad people doing bad things that are out there,” said Villing.
Villing adds that not letting people have the opportunity to protect themselves will create more problems.
“Bad things are happening in the world today; there are shootings or people walking around with knives trying to stab people, stuff like that. Hard armor is designed to alleviate that and keep you as an individual safe,” said Villing.
Schumer says he'll introduce the bill after the Senate returns to Washington in September.
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