Video and Photos: Rep. Dan Goldman Joins Rep. Kennedy and Gun Violence Advocates to Observe Third Anniversary of Buffalo Tops Supermarket Mass Shooting With Introduction of Body Armor Ban

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today joined Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) to mark the third anniversary of the racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops Supermarket on May 14, 2022, and to announce the introduction of the Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act of 2025, which would ban the sale of body armor to civilians. 

  

The Buffalo Tops shooter deliberately targeted the supermarket because of its location in a historically Black neighborhood. Wearing body armor, he was able to shoot 13 people and kill 10—all of whom were black. When the shooter began firing on the store, retired police lieutenant and supermarket security guard Aaron Salter Jr. rapidly responded and returned fire in an attempt to stop the attack. The shooters’ body armor deflected Lt. Salter’s shots, and Salter Jr. was killed. 

 

"Three years ago today, 10 New Yorkers were tragically killed in the Buffalo Tops supermarket by a bigoted individual who was motivated by racism, antisemitism, and white supremacy,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This tragedy could have been avoided if civilians were not permitted to use weapons of war, including an assault weapon and military-grade body armor. I am proud to support Congressman Kennedy’s Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act, which would block civilians from obtaining military-grade bulletproof vests. While we mourn the victims of this senseless act of bigoted violence, we must continue pushing Republicans across the country to protect our communities and pass commonsense gun safety legislation. Our constituents deserve nothing less." 

 

Enhanced body armor, generally designed to withstand rifle ammunition, is specifically defined as armor meeting or exceeding the National Institute of Justice's RFI ballistic resistance standard. Currently, this kind of body armor is legal for civilians in most states to purchase online without federal restrictions. This legislation seeks to change this by prohibiting its sale, transfer, or possession by civilians, while exempting law enforcement and military personnel.  

 

In addition to Buffalo, shootings by gunmen wearing body armor have taken place in Sutherland Springs, Texas; Aurora, Colorado; Boulder, Colorado; San Bernardino, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and many other communities.  

 

As Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and Chair of the Dads Caucus Gun Violence Prevention Working Group, Congressman Goldman has made stopping the scourge of gun violence a top priority since taking office. 

 

Last Congress, Goldman cosponsored a package of legislation that both establishes a federal “red flag” program and strengthens state and local efforts to support the implementation of extreme risk protection order laws and the ‘End Gun Violence Act’ to prohibit individuals convicted of a violent misdemeanor from purchasing handguns or ammunition for five years after conviction. 

 

Additionally, Goldman supports the ‘Gun Trafficker Detection Act’ which would require gun owners to report if their privately-owned gun is lost or stolen within 48 hours and help law enforcement identify potential gun traffickers.  

 

Congressman Goldman is a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and is Chair of the Dads Caucus Gun Violence Prevention Working Group.