New York (WRGB) — Four years after a gunman opened fire inside a Buffalo grocery store, killing 10 people and injuring three others, New York lawmakers are pushing to block civilians from buying and possessing the kind of enhanced body armor they say helped make the 2022 attack so deadly.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced the Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act in Washington, D.C., legislation that would prohibit the sale, transfer or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians. Reps. Tim Kennedy, D-N.Y.-26, and Grace Meng, D-N.Y.-06, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.

The bill is named for Aaron Salter Jr., a retired Buffalo police officer who was working as a security guard during the deadly shooting at Tops Friendly Markets. Salter “took immediate action to combat the shooter,” but “his weapon was no match for the enhanced body armor that the shooter wore.”

Sen. Gillibrand said,

This is commonsense legislation that could help save lives. I am introducing this legislation in honor of the lives that were lost four years ago at Tops in Buffalo. We must get it passed to combat the scourge of gun violence that is terrorizing communities across our country.

Congressman Kennedy,

Lt. Aaron Salter, Jr. died a hero, buying patrons and workers precious seconds to hide or escape as a result of his unwavering courage and his willingness to protect those in harm’s way. No civilian should have access to the military-grade body armor the assailant used on 5/14 – equipment that is designed for war, not our streets. Through this critical legislation, we can ensure that enhanced body armor never falls in the wrong hands again.

Meng said the attack targeted “a predominantly Black neighborhood in the City of Buffalo,” and noted that Salter, “a 30–year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department,” was on duty that day.

Four years ago, a white supremacist, armed with a weapon of war and enhanced body armor, targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood in the City of Buffalo. He took the lives of ten innocent people and wounded three others. Aaron Salter Jr., a 30–year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department, was the security guard on duty that day. He did everything he could to protect his community, but his weapon was no match for the enhanced body armor the shooter wore. It should never be possible for anyone with internet access to purchase equipment designed to withstand military-grade ammunition. This is commonsense legislation, which I am proud to lead with Rep. Kennedy and Senator Gillibrand for the Buffalo community and the far too many others throughout the United States that have experienced the terror and tragedy of gun violence. It not only honors Officer Salter, who was a hero on May 14, 2022, but it also takes concrete action to protect law.

The legislation is aimed at reducing the amount of enhanced body armor available for purchase. It defines enhanced body armor as armor that meets or exceeds Level III ballistic resistance as determined by the National Institute of Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Currently, this kind of body armor is legal for civilians in most states to purchase online without federal restrictions. The bill would change that by prohibiting its sale, transfer or possession by civilians, while exempting law enforcement and military personnel.

The legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Brady, GIFFORDS, Everytown and Newtown Action Alliance.