New York law banning the sale of bulletproof vests to most civilians does not apply to the armor worn by the man who shot dead 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket last month. Peyton Gentron wore a steel vest during the May 14 killings. The armor protected him from a store guard who fired a gun in an attempt to stop the attack. Crowds gather as police conduct a search after a supermarket shooting on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, New York (AP Photo / Joshua Bessex) A law hastily enacted by state lawmakers after the shooting bans sales of “soft bullet-proof body armor.” Soft vests are lightweight, can be hidden under clothing and protect from pistols. MASSIFUL SHOOTING OF BUFFLES: CHRONOLOGY FOR THE ATTACK ON PANAVALIKO SAYS BY THE POLICE WHEN IT HAD RADICAL MOTIVATIONS Vests bearing steel, ceramic or polyethylene plates are not described in the new law. This type of armor can potentially stop weapons. “I’m not convinced that this legislation makes much sense,” said Warren Eller, a professor of public policy at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Democrat Jonathon Jacobson, the bill’s main sponsor, said he would “be happy to amend the law to make it even stronger.” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to work on further restrictions on body armor. “Governor Hotsul was proud to sign the groundbreaking new law passed by the legislature to restrict arms sales and will work with the legislature to extend the definition of the law at the earliest opportunity,” her office said. SHOOTING IN BUFFALO: 10 DEAD IN MASS BULLETIN ON NEW TRANSMISSION ON TWITCH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM Peyton Gentron appears during his trial in Buffalo City Court on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. Police officials said the 18-year-old was wearing body armor and military clothing when he got up and opened fire on people at a Tops Friendly Market. (Mark Mulville / The Buffalo News via AP) Brad Pedell, who runs the 221B Tactical body and armor store in New York, said his customers buy armor to protect themselves from potential attackers. “It is frustrating because the residents are just scared and come to us because they are scared and we offer help that makes them feel more confident that they will not be stabbed, injured or killed,” he said. “The fact [lawmakers] they take it away, for whatever purpose they have in mind, I find it really sad and unnecessary and morally wrong. “ New York law was passed in an effort to prevent criminals from having an advantage over peacekeepers or security guards trying to stop a gunman. THE VOUFALOS WAS FILATED PLANNING ATTACK BUFFAL ONLY BY TIME, SAY THE AUTHORITIES New York Governor Kathy Hochul discusses running for governor at the WNBC4-TV studios on June 16, 2022 in New York. (Photo by Craig Ruttle-Pool / Getty Images) The law restricts the sale of bulletproof vests to people working in law enforcement and the military, as well as to people in certain other occupations that require protective equipment. Government officials have not yet determined which jobs allow a person to buy armor. New Yorkers are still allowed to have body vests and buy them in other states. Jacobson said he hoped to eliminate that solution at the next legislative session. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION “We wanted to get things done as quickly as possible and not let perfection get in the way of good,” said Jacobson. “Like all laws in New York State, we always try to make them better in the future. Of course we will try to improve this law.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
