Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have reintroduced the DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act, aiming to enhance the safety of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers by ensuring that both male and female officers are equipped with properly fitting, life-saving body armor.
As the Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Britt emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “I’m proud to reintroduce this crucial legislation that will ensure Department of Homeland Security officers—both women and men—have properly fitting body armor that truly protects them in the line of duty.” She highlighted the bill’s previous success, noting that it passed the Senate unanimously in the 118th Congress. Britt expressed her commitment to working with colleagues to secure its passage and delivery to President Trump’s desk, reiterating the importance of ensuring that law enforcement officers are equipped with the best protection available.
Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, echoed Britt’s sentiment, emphasizing the need for effective protective equipment for officers. “The dedicated officers serving in DHS law enforcement roles deserve nothing less than the most effective protective equipment available,” he said. “This bipartisan legislation addresses a safety gap that puts our officers at unnecessary risk. By ensuring access to properly fitted body armor that meets the highest safety standards, we’re fulfilling our duty to protect those who protect us.”
The reintroduced legislation addresses a critical gap in law enforcement safety equipment. It requires that all agencies within DHS provide improved ballistic body armor designed to fit both male and female officers properly. This move follows findings from the FBI’s 2022 ballistic testing, which revealed that the commonly used body armor presented serious safety risks, particularly for female officers. The tests found that the standard body armor, when tested on a female mold, was susceptible to bullets or projectiles ricocheting off the top center of the front armor panel, potentially hitting the throat area—posing a fatal risk.
The improved body armor created in response to these findings provides enhanced protection and is now available for use. The DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act aims to ensure that all DHS law enforcement officers, regardless of gender, are equipped with this improved, life-saving armor.
This legislation reflects ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and well-being of officers serving in demanding and often dangerous roles. By addressing safety gaps identified through testing, the bill ensures that law enforcement officers have the protection they need to continue serving and protecting the public with confidence.
