Can I Travel With Body Armor?

Traveling with Body Armor Through the Holidays

Traveling in general can be a stressful experience. You get to airport security and suddenly second guess if every possession you own is a prohibited item or not. From forgetting to dump out your water bottle to having to throw away a new $200 pocketknife- we’ve all been there. So before you take off for your next trip, we want to shed some light on traveling with body armor. 

Going Through Airport Security 

Whether you choose to have your ballistic protection in your checked bags or carry on bags,  TSA rules and regulations state that body armor is allowed for either baggage. However, the TSA officer makes the final decision whether or not your kevlar body armor is allowed past that checkpoint. 

We recommend placing your body armor in your checked baggage or carry-on baggage. It would be a red flag for security to go through a metal detector wearing a  bulletproof vest. For a list of prohibited items while traveling, check out the  Transport Security Administration website

How to Prepare Before Arriving at the Airport

It is typically recommended to arrive at the airport within two hours before the flight departure. Especially when traveling with kevlar, it is mindful to arrive early. There is a chance the TSA officer deems your body armor as a prohibited item.

 In that case, we would recommend speaking with a manager. You could even show them this security screening link which states body armor is allowed on the flight. 

PBA employees have traveled hundreds of flights over the past 5 years with armor and have never been questioned by TSA about the armor, even on international flights.

Research Body Armor Laws By Country

Body armor international travel can get tricky. Various countries have different laws when it comes to personal protection. For instance, in Australia it is illegal to possess body armor without authorization in certain territories. 

In the European Union kevlar body armour is limited to only the military, and is restricted to civilians. A good rule of thumb is to research the laws of your intended destination. 

Traveling Throughout the United States

In the United States, law-abiding citizens can purchase, own and wear body armor. By federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from buying and owning body armor. Since it is legal to own body armor, crossing state lines should not have any issue. 

*Connecticut and New York state laws differ. Read more about the legality of body armor and be sure to check your state laws before purchasing body armor.

Empowered in the Midst of Prohibition

All in all, traveling through gun free zones with body armor in your backpack or carry on luggage provides an incredible peace of mind. Recently while traveling, having a  backpack panel in my  Vertx Ready Pack gave me reassurance that I had access to protection. Our  bag and armor bundles allow you to travel discreetly with concealed ballistic protection. 

I felt empowered traveling with armor, knowing I have the highest form of protection strapped to my back. At Premier, our mission is to share this feeling of security with others, it’s ultimately your right to protect yourself. We hope you have safe travels!