US Navy Veteran on Civilian Body Armor & Gun Violence
Quick answer: Hank Shetlar, a four-year US Navy Master-at-Arms trained in law enforcement, force protection, and active-shooter response, argues that bullet-resistant body armor should be among the most accessible tools civilians can own. Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 931), any law-abiding adult without a violent felony conviction can legally purchase soft or hard body armor in 48 states.
Hank Shetlar spent four years as a Master-at-Arms for the United States Navy, training intensively in law enforcement, physical force protection, and active-shooter response. Most of that time he was guarding Top Secret national-security assets, working through scenarios involving nuclear, chemical, and biological threats. He's now the business developer and international salesman for NorArm Tactical, operating out of Norway, where he and his wife run a horse farm. He was also the winner of the Bulletproof Zone Protection Group Denmark helmet giveaway, earning that PGD ARCH helmet with an answer to a body armor regulation question that cut straight to the point.
That answer is worth reading carefully.
Should civilian body armor be banned?
Hank's answer, written in response to a body armor regulation debate, was direct: "Body armor should be one of the most common things that civilians can own. Period."
His reasoning isn't abstract. Hank lists the realistic scenarios where a civilian might need bullet-resistant protection before law enforcement can respond: natural disasters that trigger civil unrest, terrorist events in public spaces, and active-shooter situations. The FBI documented 48 active-shooter incidents in the United States in 2023 alone. That number is up from 6 in 2000. You can see the full trend in our piece on gun violence in the United States.
"Being prepared is the only way," Hank says. "And it starts with body armor."
For clarity: under 18 U.S.C. § 931, any US adult with no violent felony conviction can legally buy soft or hard body armor in 48 states. New York and Connecticut restrict civilian purchase; every other state defers to the federal standard. Buying a bullet-resistant vest is not a legally complicated act for most Americans.
What does military training actually teach about civilian preparedness?
We asked Hank how four years guarding Top Secret assets shaped his view of civilian readiness. His answer was blunt: "No one wants violence, but when violence finds you, it's best to be prepared for that. Violence is an equal opportunist, and it doesn't care what religion you are, what color your skin is, or what your beliefs are."
This is not a theoretical position for him. Hank trained in environments where the cost of being caught unprepared was measured in lives, not inconvenience. The mental model he carries from that service is that preparation has to happen before the threat, not during it.
Our Nurse's Story About Body Armor makes the same point from a different angle: Raul Nocete described what it felt like to be threatened at gunpoint with zero preparation, zero protection, and zero plan. The sense of helplessness he described is the exact gap that a soft armor vest can close for civilians who are willing to think a step ahead.
"Being prepared is the best way to live," Hank says. "[Violence] will strike you if you aren't prepared to take it head on."
Is protecting yourself a right or a luxury?
Hank uses both words, and he means both. The legal right to own body armor as a law-abiding civilian exists right now, in most of the country. The practical access to affordable soft armor (concealable Level IIIA vests start at roughly $200 from reputable brands) is real. Squandering either the legal access or the financial access while active-shooter incidents are increasing is, in Hank's view, a mistake.
"I think it's important that the civilian population takes advantage of body armor and firearms," he said, "because one will save your life and the other will help you defend it."
Worth knowing: Hank doesn't frame this as a political statement. He frames it as a preparedness statement. The same logic he applied to guarding nuclear assets in the Navy -- you have to plan for the worst before it happens -- applies equally to civilian life.
What should civilians actually buy?
Hank's answer on where to start: "What the hell are you waiting for? You can't always rely on someone else to protect you and your family. Sometimes it's up to you and you alone."
On the practical side, the Protection Group Denmark ARCH helmet that Hank won from Bulletproof Zone is NIJ Level IIIA rated, meaning it is tested to stop handgun threats up to .44 Magnum. For a civilian starting out, a concealable soft armor vest is usually the first purchase: it's wearable daily, legal in 48 states, and a Level IIIA / HG2 panel stops the handgun rounds involved in the overwhelming majority of US violent crime incidents.
Bulletproof Zone stocks soft armor, hard plates, and plate carriers from Premier Body Armor, Safe Life Defense, Spartan Armor Systems, and Protection Group Denmark. If you're not sure where to start, our NIJ protection levels guide explains exactly what each threat rating stops and at what price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is body armor legal for civilians to buy in the United States?
Yes, in 48 states. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 931) allows any adult with no violent felony conviction to purchase soft or hard body armor. New York and Connecticut restrict civilian purchase; every other state defaults to the federal rule. Online purchase and mail-order delivery are legal in those 48 states.
What level of body armor do most civilians need?
For everyday civilian preparedness, a concealable Level IIIA (HG2 under the new NIJ 0101.07 nomenclature) soft armor vest is the practical starting point. It stops the handgun calibers involved in most violent crime in the US, it's concealable under clothing, and it weighs between 1.5 and 3 lb depending on the panel size. Hard rifle-rated plates (Level III / RF1 or Level IV / RF3) are appropriate for higher-threat scenarios but are heavier and less concealable.
What credentials does Hank Shetlar have on body armor?
Hank Shetlar served four years as a Master-at-Arms in the United States Navy, a role focused on law enforcement, physical force protection, and active-shooter response. He spent most of his service guarding Top Secret national-security assets in environments that included nuclear, chemical, and biological threat training. He currently works as business developer and international salesman for NorArm Tactical in Norway.
Does wearing body armor make you a target?
In a civilian context, concealable soft armor is worn under clothing and not visible. It does not signal anything to an attacker. The preparedness argument Hank makes is the reverse: someone who is wearing a concealed vest and is aware of their surroundings is better positioned to survive the opening seconds of a violent incident than someone who has no protection at all.
How much does a good civilian body armor vest cost?
Concealable Level IIIA soft armor vests from credible manufacturers (Safe Life Defense, Premier Body Armor, BulletSafe) run $200 to $400. Overt plate carriers with Level III or Level IV hard plates run $400 to $900 depending on plate material (polyethylene is lighter; ceramic is thinner). Skip any vest priced under $150 from an unknown brand; NIJ compliance testing costs money, and the discount segment is full of panels that have never been independently tested.
Can a convicted felon own body armor?
No, under 18 U.S.C. § 931, possession by anyone convicted of a violent-crime felony is a federal offense carrying a maximum 3-year sentence. There is a narrow affirmative defense for prohibited persons whose employer has provided written certification that body armor is required for lawful employment, but this does not extend to off-duty possession.
What is the Protection Group Denmark ARCH helmet?
The PGD ARCH is a ballistic combat helmet rated to stop handgun-level threats. Bulletproof Zone carries the Protection Group Denmark line; the ARCH is one of the brand's primary patrol and tactical helmets. It was the prize in a Bulletproof Zone reader giveaway that Hank Shetlar won with his response on civilian body armor rights.
Key takeaways:
- Hank Shetlar, a four-year US Navy Master-at-Arms with force-protection and active-shooter training, argues that bullet-resistant body armor should be common civilian gear, not a restricted item.
- Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, law-abiding adults (no violent felony) can legally buy body armor in 48 US states without a background check or permit.
- Active-shooter incidents in the US have increased sharply since 2000; a concealable Level IIIA / HG2 soft armor vest is the practical starting point for civilian preparedness.
- Hank's preparedness philosophy from the Navy translates directly: plan before the threat arrives, not during it. "I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."
- Bulletproof Zone stocks vests, plates, and helmets from Premier Body Armor, Safe Life Defense, Spartan Armor Systems, and Protection Group Denmark. Start with our NIJ protection levels guide if you're unsure which tier is right for your situation.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Body armor laws change frequently at both federal and state levels. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before relying on any information presented here. Bulletproof Zone makes no claim that body armor will provide complete protection in any scenario; no body armor is bulletproof. Verified against published statutes and the NIJ Compliant Products List in May 2026.
Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 931) prohibits possession of body armor by anyone convicted of a violent felony. State restrictions vary; New York and Connecticut have the most stringent civilian-purchase restrictions. Bulletproof Zone does not ship body armor to New York or Connecticut consumer addresses. Pending litigation (Heeter v. James, W.D.N.Y. 1:24-cv-00623) may alter New York's regulatory landscape; the case is in summary judgment briefing through end of June 2026.