(a) A person who wears or is otherwise equipped with body armor while committing a felony offense, an element of which is force, the threat of force, physical harm to another or the use or presentment of a firearm or other deadly weapon, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in a correctional facility for not less than two nor more than ten years or fined not more than $10,000, or both.
(b) As used in this section, “body armor” means a jacket, vest, or other similar apparel or device constructed to provide ballistic resistance to penetration and deformation and intended to protect the human torso against gunfire. The term may include, but is not limited to, apparel that incorporates inserts, or variations in construction of the ballistic panel over small areas of the torso, for the purpose of increasing the basic level of protection of the armor (whether ballistic or blunt trauma) on localized areas. Body armor may be constructed of Kevlar or other similar fabric and may be reinforced with other materials. Body armor may incorporate “threat” or “trauma” plates (which are inserts that fit into the vest that will stop more powerful rounds) or may, as “threat armor”, incorporate hard panels.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment
§61-7-4. License to Carry Deadly Weapons; How Obtained
§61-7-4a. Provisional License to Carry Deadly Weapons; How Obtained
§61-7-5. Revocation of License
§61-7-6a. Reciprocity and Recognition; Out-of-State Concealed Handgun Permits
§61-7-8. Possession of Deadly Weapons by Minors; Prohibitions
§61-7-9. Possession of Machine Guns, Penalties
§61-7-10. Deadly Weapons for Sale or Hire; Sale to Prohibited Persons; Penalties
§61-7-11. Brandishing Deadly Weapons; Threatening or Causing Breach of the Peace; Criminal Penalties
§61-7-12. Wanton Endangerment Involving a Firearm
§61-7-14. Right of Certain Persons to Limit Possession of Firearms on Premises
§61-7-15. Persons Prohibited From Committing Violent Crime While Wearing Body Armor; Penalties
§61-7-15a. Use or Presentation of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony; Penalties
§61-7-16. Chief Officer Certification to Transfer or Make Certain Firearms; Definitions; Appeal