Nevada bill increases penalty for criminals wearing body armor

Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999 | 4:37 a.m.

Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko, says Nevada law is full of provisions calling for enhanced penalties that haven't deterred criminals.

Under AB117, a person who wears body armor, such as a bullet-proof helmet or vest, in the commission of a crime could get a double penalty.

"This legislation is urgently needed," said Assemblywoman Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas. "Body armor transfers criminals into unstoppable terminators."

During an Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, bill sponsor Berman said anyone with a credit card and Internet access can buy body armor.

Police representatives from Reno and Las Vegas testified there have been no shootouts between officers and criminals wearing body armor in their areas.

Lt. Stan Olsen of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department added the bill wouldn't stop many criminals.

"It probably does not do much as a deterrent," he said. "If someone is determined to use a gun, they will use a gun. The same for body armor."

Bill supporters included Lee Guelff, who described how his brother, San Francisco police officer James Guelff, was killed in 1994 in a shootout with a criminal wearing armor.

He said his brother would have been alive today if the criminal had not been wearing armor.