You can buy body armor most anywhere. Where did you get the idea it's unlawful to sell to a felon.
In Va, it's a felony to commit a violent crime while wearing it, but I know of no restrictions on buying it.
I'll try to find the statute, but this is from Steelfender.com
"If you are a convicted felon you are prohibited from possession of Body Armor. Possession of body armor by a convicted felon is strictly illegal under federal law."
18 U.S.C. § 931 : US Code - Section 931: Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor by violent felons
(a) In General. - Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall
be unlawful for a person to purchase, own, or possess body armor,
if that person has been convicted of a felony that is -
(1) a crime of violence (as defined in section 16); or
(2) an offense under State law that would constitute a crime of
violence under paragraph (1) if it occurred within the special
maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
(b) Affirmative Defense. -
(1) In general. - It shall be an affirmative defense under this
section that -
(A) the defendant obtained prior written certification from
his or her employer that the defendant's purchase, use, or
possession of body armor was necessary for the safe performance
of lawful business activity; and
(B) the use and possession by the defendant were limited to
the course of such performance.
(2) Employer. - In this subsection, the term "employer" means
any other individual employed by the defendant's business that
supervises defendant's activity. If that defendant has no
supervisor, prior written certification is acceptable from any
other employee of the business.
It seems it is unlawful for a felon to possess, except for certain conditions. Surprising that it does not seem to be illegal for them to purchase it. Funny how laws are written.
