LAPD Chief Protests Felons Buying Body Armor

[Jeanfromfillmore]

LAPD Chief Protests Felons Buying Body Armor
Chief Beck sends open letter to attorney general.
Los Angeles - Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck has sent an open letter to California's attorney general urging him to appeal a recent court ruling that overturned a ban on felons wearing or owning body armor.

In his letter, released Thursday, Beck told Attorney General Jerry Brown he thought the decision gave violent criminals the upper hand.

California passed the ban in 1998 following a deadly shootout between police and heavily armored bank robbers in the streets of North Hollywood.

The ensuing gunbattle left the two robbers dead and 10 police officers and five other people injured.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals overturned the ban last week, saying it was unconstitutional because the definition of body armor was too vague.
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/loca...armor-20091224

[Patriotic Army Mom]

I'm behind that. It's a shame that this is even an issue.

[Ayatollahgondola]

I have mixed feelings on this one. Felons can't own firearms generally speaking, and some of them are marked people by rivals of one sort or another, so how are they supposed to protect themselves after serving their sentences? Especially so if they cooperated with prosecutors during their trials.

[CitaDeL]

This isnt just about felons... the police dont want anyone but law enforcement to have access to body armor...

http://local.nixle.com/alert/635979/

Last week’s Second District Court of Appeals to overturn the 1998 law gives violent criminals the upper hand. There is an absolute need for a ban on these types of body armor for anyone other than law enforcement personnel or law enforcement related personnel. I urge you to immediately appeal the Second District Court of Appeals decision. The men and women defending public safety across the state and the people of California deserve no less.

Some of my personal choices could necessitate the procurement and wearing of a bullet proof vest. Who the EFF is this guy to tell me that I cannot protect myself? Granted, this is probably the same guy that would say that I shouldnt have a gun for self-protection- but body armor is wholly defensive...

If he doesnt like it, he needs to get bigger guns.

[Ayatollahgondola]

One event in over ten years, and it's a crisis worthy of a total ban. Nobody was killed on the good guy side either.

[Kathy63]

This also happened before the ban was put into place.

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/16/us...l?pagewanted=1

Where do you draw the line? Frankly I would appreciate it if someone who came to rob me was prohibited from wearing body armor.