Our society, and France in particular, is facing a significant rise in violence. Recent figures from the French Ministry of the Interior speak for themselves: in 2023, intentional assault and battery rose by almost 7% (with a peak of 15% for domestic violence), and unarmed assaults by 5%. Even more alarming, knife attacks in France are a growing reality. The "Insecurity and delinquency in 2023" report reveals a continuing increase in physical violence, including that involving weapons, where bladed weapons play a predominant role in many assaults.
Faced with this situation, more and more civilians are wondering how to protect themselves, and the question of the legality of bulletproof vests for civilians is becoming increasingly important.
At VEST PARIS, French leader in ballistic protection and knives for the home, we understand this legitimate concern. It is essential to know whether the acquisition and wearing of a classic bullet-proof vest, or a more elaborate and sophisticated bullet-proof vest, is permitted by law. We have extended our study to Italy and the USA, where our main customers are located. This article sheds light on the key regulations, underlining the importance of choosing the right ballistic protection that complies with current legislation.
Civilian bullet-proof vests: legislation varies from country to country
Bullet-proof vest legislation differs considerably from country to country. These laws are shaped by various factors: the national security context, arms control policies and legal history. For any civilian wishing to purchase a VEST PARIS bulletproof vest like the V007, it's imperative to know the legal specifics of your region.
In France
Faced with an upsurge in assaults, many French people are considering personal protection. In France, it is generally legal for civilians to purchase and wear bulletproof and knifeproof vests. No law formally prohibits it for personal use. However, there are specific rules governing this freedom:
Absence of official markings: Under no circumstances should a civilian bulletproof vest or jacket display insignia, colors or motifs reserved for the forces of law and order (Police Nationale, Gendarmerie) or the armed forces. Wearing equipment with false markings is usurpation of function, punishable by criminal penalties.
Legitimate use: Wearing a bulletproof vest or jacket must be justified by a proven personal or professional safety reason, and not by the intention to commit an illegal act. That's why VEST PARIS offers discreet models, perfectly suited to civilian use without attracting attention.
Accessibility: Bullet-proof vests are available for purchase by civilians from specialist suppliers or from brands with recognized expertise in this field, such as VEST PARIS associated with Protecop. Our partner Protecop is a French manufacturer of bullet-proof vests, offering approved ballistic protection that guarantees both effectiveness and legal compliance. Our bulletproof vests meet a growing need for personal safety.
In Italy
Italy's legislation on bulletproof vests for civilians, known as "giubbotto antiproiettile", bears some similarities to that of France. Possession is generally tolerated under certain conditions:
Free acquisition and possession: As a general rule, the purchase and possession of a "giubbotto antiproiettile" is authorized for Italian citizens. No specific license is required.
Legitimate use: Use must be legitimate and not associated with illegal activities.
Accessibility to purchase: It is strictly forbidden to wear an "antiproiettile giubbotto" that could be confused with those used by the Italian police or army. The aim is to avoid any identity theft or confusion. That's why VEST PARIS offers jackets designed for maximum discretion, in full compliance with local legislation.
In the United States
In the United States, the question of the legality of "body armor" for civilians is more complex, and subject to significant variations from state to state.
Federal law: At the federal level, the purchase and possession of body armor by civilians is generally legal. However, federal law explicitly prohibits anyone convicted of a violent crime from possessing such a product.
State laws: Many states have introduced their own specific, often more restrictive regulations, for example :
In Connecticut, buying body armor in person is legal, but buying online or by mail order is restricted and may require a valid firearms license.
In New York, following recent events, the State of New York has tightened its laws. It is now illegal for civilians to buy or sell body armor, with the exception of certain authorized professions (such as law enforcement, licensed security guards, etc.) and under strict conditions.
In California, possession is generally legal, except for people who have committed certain violent crimes.
The online sale of bullet-proof vests may be subject to additional restrictions or identity checks, depending on the destination state.
In the USA, VEST PARIS is committed to full compliance with all federal and state regulations. We strongly advise our American customers to check their state's specific legislation before purchasing one of our bulletproof vests such as the V007, which meets the requirements of the American market.
Choosing your bullet-proof vest
Manufacturers of bullet-proof vests and body armor like VEST PARIS -in partnership with Protecop-, design ballistic protection that meets strict standards to guarantee your safety. Bulletproof vests are classified according to their ability to stop different types of threat. The most common levels of protection are defined by the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) standard. This classification is essential to understanding the performance and intended use of each bulletproof vest.
Understanding the NIJ standard
A distinction is made between soft body armor (generally up to Level IIIA or even IIIA+) and body armor with rigid plates (Level III, Level IV), which offer protection against greater threats. This classification is essential to understanding the performance and intended use of each bullet-proof vest.
Bullet-proof vests for civilians only
For civilians, the most commonly authorized and relevant class of body armor is Level IIIA NIJ. This type of soft body armor is designed to stop the vast majority of pistol and sub-machine-gun threats, offering effective, unobtrusive civilian ballistic protection.
For example, bulletproof jackets from VEST PARIS, like the V007 model above, are designed in this category, emphasizing lightness and comfort for unhindered daily wear. They can often include anti-knife or anti-slash protection, crucial in the face of the knife attacks we were talking about. This class level is legal for civilian purchase and possession in France and Italy, and in most American states, subject to the specific local regulations mentioned above.
Bullet-proof vests for professionals only
Class III and IV NIJ bulletproof vests, on the other hand, which incorporate rigid plates (made of ceramic or thick composites), are primarily designed to stop rifle fire and armor-piercing ammunition. Although they can be legally acquired by civilians in certain contexts and countries, their use is mainly reserved for law enforcement professionals, the military or security agents faced with threats of war or organised crime. Their weight and bulk make them less suitable for everyday civilian use.
In a nutshell
Before purchasing a bulletproof vest, it's imperative to check the legislation specific to your place of residence. For 12 years, VEST PARIS has been your trusted partner, offering reliable, compliant ballistic protection. We invite you to explore our range, or to contact our experts if you have any questions about the legal and appropriate acquisition of your personal protection. Your safety is our priority, in strict compliance with the law.