<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 3 – Body Armor">
  <section prefix="§" num="3-1" heading="Definitions.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Ammunition.">“Ammunition” means any cartridge, shell, or other device that contains explosive or incendiary material and is designed or intended for use in firearm.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Body armor.">“Body armor” means any material or object that is designed to cover or be worn on any part of the body to prevent, deflect, or slow down the penetration of ammunition.</para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Firearm.">“Firearm” includes any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, or other firearm.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 22-125</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="3-2" heading="Prohibited conduct.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Possession.">No person may possess any body armor unless the person is:<para num="(1)">an adult; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">expressly authorized under this subtitle to do so.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Transfer.">No person may sell, give, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to sell, give, or otherwise transfer any body armor to:<para num="(1)">any minor; or</para>
      <para num="(2)">except as expressly authorized in this subtitle,  any other person.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="3-3" heading="Exceptions.">
    <text>This subtitle does not apply to or prevent the possession of body armor by or the  sale or other transfer of body armor to:</text>
    <para num="(1)">a Federal, State, City, or County law enforcement agency or officer;</para>
    <para num="(2)">a sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, or other employee designated by the Sheriff;</para>
    <para num="(3)">public safety officers, including fire and emergency medical services;</para>
    <para num="(4)">a State’s Attorney, Deputy State’s Attorney, Assistant State’s Attorney, or other employee designated by the State’s Attorney;</para>
    <para num="(5)">Special Police Officers commissioned by the State;</para>
    <para num="(6)">correctional officers;</para>
    <para num="(7)">licensed private detectives;</para>
    <para num="(8)">certified security guards; and</para>
    <para num="(9)">any other class of public safety personnel designated by the Police Commissioner.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="3-4" heading="Authorized possession, transfer, etc.">
    <text>The possession of body armor by and the  sale or other transfer of body armor to any person is authorized only if:</text>
    <para num="(1)">the person is one of those excepted under &lt;cite data-path="|19|§3-3"&gt;§ 3-3 of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;; or</para>
    <para num="(2)">after a background check, the Police Commissioner certifies that the person:<para num="(i)">is not a minor; and</para>
      <para num="(ii)">has not been previously convicted of:<para num="(A)">any felony;</para>
        <para num="(B)">any offense committed with or while possessing a firearm; or</para>
        <para num="(C)">any offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="3-5" heading="Identification required.">
    <text>No person may sell, give, or otherwise transfer or attempt to sell, give, or otherwise transfer any body armor to any individual without first verifying that the individual is authorized under this subtitle to obtain body armor.</text>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="3-6" heading="Rules and regulations; fees.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">The Police Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Fees.">The Police Commissioner may establish and impose reasonable fees for undertaking a background check under this subtitle.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="3-7" heading="Penalties.">
    <text>Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle or of a rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for 1 year or both.</text>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-058</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
