Sen. Baker want to ban body armor from being worn by the law-abiding public (serfs)

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: Gov. wants to restrict body armor purchases : By LAURENT THOMET, Capital News Service : ANNAPOLIS - An individual's ability to own a bulletproof vest would be sharply restricted under new legislation proposed by Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) and introduced in the Senate on Tuesday. : A citizen interested in owning body armor would have go through the same process as someone applying for a gun permit, said Glendening's spokeswoman Michelle Byrnie. : Body armor applicants would have to have a good reason to become eligible for the permit, Byrnie said. : The governor's bill, she said, is made to protect law enforcement officers from criminals wearing bulletproof vests. : ``[Body armor] emboldens people who commit violent acts,'' Byrnie said. : Some Senate and House members already oppose the bill. : Going through the same process as getting a gun permit would be ``a bureaucratic nightmare'' for banks or convenience stores that may buy body armor for their employees, said Sen. Larry E. Haines, D-Carroll. : ``All we need is to penalize criminals,'' Haines said. : Making people apply for a permit ``seems to be a bit ridiculous,'' said Del. Kevin Kelly, D-Allegany. ``It's excessive to have a permitting process.'' : People who work in ``a bad part of town'' should be allowed to own a bulletproof vest, said Kelly. : The State Police ``backs the governor,'' said spokesman Cpl. Rob Moroney. But he said he couldn't comment directly on the bill because he hadn't seen it yet. : ``If you can't stop criminals from buying a firearm, how are you going to stop them from buying a body armor,'' said Sanford Abrams, vice president of the state Licensed Firearms Dealers Association. : Abrams said a criminal could easily buy a bulletproof vest on the Internet. : ``Everything is on the Web,'' he said. : Abrams, who owns a Baltimore gun shop, said he sells 50 to 60 body armors per year, but only to those who can prove they need protection in their store. : Sen. Walter M. Baker, D-Cecil, said the bill would need some amendments to allow a person operating a business to purchase a protective vest. : ``I don't think people should be walking around with them,'' said Baker, chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee that will hear the bill. ``It will probably require a lot of amendments to accommodate certain situations.'' : ``I think that if you were a diamond salesman you should be wearing one,'' said Baker. : Byrnie said women in domestic violence cases or even journalists covering dangerous situations would have quicker access to the permit. : ``The bottom line,'' Byrnie said, ``is that it will make it safer for law enforcement officers to do their jobs.''

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