/0 - 0021 JAN 0 5 2010 MOTION UBLIC SAFETY

While body armor and/or bullet proof vests were originally intended to protect law enforcement, violent criminals have been misusing them and creating a threat of harm to law enforcement and the public at large. In the 1997 North Hollywood bank shootout, two heavily armed bank robbers wearing grade body armor engaged the Police Department (LAPD) in a protracted firefight that injured ten officers and seven civilians. Police handguns' inability to penetrate the robbers' body armor contributed to the long and protracted nature of the confrontation.

Subsequent to the 1997 North Hollywood bank shootout, the State Legislature passed a ban (California Penal Code Section 12370) prohibiting individuals with violent felony convictions from possessing or wearing body armor. However, recently, a Los Angeles Appellate Court overturned the State law, stating that the definition of body armor was unconstitutionally vague. Because of this ruling, violent felons are currently able to obtain body armor without any legal ramifications.

Law enforcement organizations have expressed strong opposition to the appellate court's ruling. On December 19, 2009 the Los Angeles Police Protective League issued a press release stating that the court's ruling endangers police officers' lives by emboldening criminals and making them more likely to engage in firefights with law enforcement.

It is necessary that the City urge state legislators to take expedient and appropriate measures to ensure that the state law's language is revised to more clearly define the term body armor to ensure that violent felons remain unable to obtain access to body armor. In the interim, the City should implement a local ordinance prohibiting violent felons from possessing or wearing body armor in the City of Los Angeles.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Attorney be requested to prepare and present an ordinance prohibiting violent felons from possessing or wearing body armor in the City of Los Angeles.

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