Body Armor work on the principles of using layers of very tightly woven fibers which are reinforced with metal or ceramic or plastic plates to provide protection from fire arms of various kinds. The hard type Body Armor has become a standard accessory in military use as the soft type Body Armor are ineffective against any kind of rifle fire power. The CRISAT-NATO provides a standard for body armor which specifies the use of titanium plates as reinforcement backing. Use of titanium has been recommended due to its light weight but very high protective strength. These titanium plates may be permanently fixed to the vest or may be removable.
How does the Body Armor then protect the wearer?
The Body Armor does not deflect he bullets for protecting he wearer but it catches the bullet and spreads the force of its impact over a much large portion of the body all the while absorbing the force of the bullet and bringing it to a halt before it can pierce and penetrate the body. This process of stopping the bullets usually de-shape and deform the bullet making it all the more difficult to penetrate the body. No doubt the Body Armor stops the bullet, but the wearer has to absorb the shock arising out of the bullets impact. These impacts can often result in blunt force trauma. Most users normally suffer only bruises but sometimes the blunt impacts can cause sever injuries to internal organs. At least the vest save you from life threatening bullet hits.
However, these vests are ineffective in normal one-on-one combats which use sharp weapons like knives, spears, pick axes, or any kind of bladed weapons or special type of Body Armor piercing bullets having a sharp pointed head. The reason being simple; the vests get pierced if the force is concentrated in a very small area of impact.
Most countries do not have any law which governs the usage of Body Armor. Body Armor is usually legal to use in most countries with a few exceptions. One of the notable exceptions is Australia. Use of Body Armor has been banned in Australia and use of any kind of Body Armor is illegal and a punishable offence under the Australian laws. This prohibition has been continuing for quite some times. There are stores floating around about the history of this ban when in the late 19th century the very notorious outlaw called Ned Kelly used home made Body Armor with some mixed results. The police at that time were using the Martini-Henry rifles which used low velocity, soft lead bullets. The home made Body Armor of Ned Kelly practically defeated these bullets. Though the steel Body Armor was successful against the bullets, the weight restricted the movements and ultimately led to his downfall. It is said that since then the Australian law has banned the use of Body Armor.
The Unites States allows the used of Body Armor legally by any one except by those who have been convicted of violent felony. Most of the US states have heavy penalties for use of Body Armor by convicted felons. Even possession of Body Armor by convicted felon is not allowed. However some states like Kentucky, does not prohibit the possession of Body Armor by any convicted felon but have rules which prevent the grant of parole or probation if a person has been convicted committing crimes while wearing Body Armor and using lethal weapons.
Canadian laws make it very legal to purchase and wear Body Armor or any kind of ballistic vests. Currently it is reported that there are proposals to the law makers to make the wearing of Body Armor illegal during the commission of any criminal offense or activity. Germany has made wearing and possession of Body Armor illegal because Body Armor had been termed as a passive weapon.