TOPEKA — A legislative bill, HB 2454, that increases the penalty for a person convicted of a felony while wearing body armor, such as a bullet proof vest, is making rapid progress through the Kansas Legislature.

The bill was introduced by State Rep. Virgil Peck, Jr., R-Tyro, and State Senator Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, on Jan. 14 in the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice (CJJ) Committee. A hearing was held on Feb. 3 in which several law enforcement officers from Montgomery County, including Detective Sergeant Kwin Bromley of the Coffeyville Police Department, Commander Mike Brown of the Coffeyville Police Department, and Detective Kelly Stewart, spoke in support of the bill.

The bill was initiated following a 2009 bank robbery in Coffeyville in which the robber led police on a chase that culiminated with a shootout. The robber wore a bullet-proof vest, indicating that he would be involved in some sort of a shooting spree.

That shootout in Coffeyville did lead to the death of one innocent bystander.

“Kansas law currently has no language addressing criminals who don or use ballistic resistant material in the commission, or the attempt to commit, or flight from a felony. I am asking the Legislature to take a necessary step forward to add this language into Kansas Law,” Bromley told the committee.

Commander Brown also provided testimony before the committee and stated, “The criminal use of body armor not only puts law enforcement at risk, but also puts the general public at risk as well.”

Following discussion on the bill, the committee endorsed HB 2454 recommending its passage by the full House of Representatives.

The bill was then debated on the floor of the Kansas House of Representatives where Peck led the discussion. The bill passed the House unanimously (120-0) and will be debated in the Kansas Senate.

Once it is officially presented to the Senate, Senator Schmidt will take the lead in securing the necessary votes to pass HB 2454.

“The action today by the House of Representatives shows important respect for Kansas law enforcement officers,” said Schmidt, “I’m hopeful this proposal will receive a warm reception in the Senate as well.”