California Body Armor Laws

California Code, Penal Code – PEN § 12022.2

§ 12022.2. Possession of ammunition that penetrates metal or armor; Wearing body vest in commission or attempted commission of violent offense (Second of two; Operative January 1, 2022)

<Section operative Jan. 1, 2022.  See, also, § 12022.2 operative until Jan. 1, 2022.>
(a) Any person who, while armed with a firearm in the commission or attempted commission of any felony, has in his or her immediate possession ammunition for the firearm designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor, shall upon conviction of that felony or attempted felony, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony or attempted felony, be punished by an additional term of 3, 4, or 10 years.  The court shall order the middle term unless there are circumstances in aggravation or mitigation.  The court shall state the reasons for its enhancement choice on the record at the time of the sentence.

(b) Any person who wears a body vest in the commission or attempted commission of a violent offense, as defined in Section 29905 , shall, upon conviction of that felony or attempted felony, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony or attempted felony of which he or she has been convicted, be punished by an additional term of one, two, or five years.  The court shall order the middle term unless there are circumstances in aggravation or mitigation.  The court shall state the reasons for its enhancement choice on the record at the time of the sentence.

(c) As used in this section, “body vest” means any bullet-resistant material intended to provide ballistic and trauma protection for the wearer.

(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2022.

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