BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Police say retired officer Aaron Salter likely saved lives on May 14, 2022 when he engaged with the mass shooter at a Buffalo Tops supermarket.

"It is often said that the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun and Aaron Salter Jr. was a good guy with a gun," U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, D-NY-26. said.

However, BPD Commissioner Joe Gramaglia said Salter may have been able to end the tragedy sooner had the shooter not been wearing enhanced body armor.

"Lt. Aaron Salter's round was dead on target," Gramaglia said. "We know that from where it hit that vest. We also know from the video it had zero effect."

Following the mass shooting where the murderer killed 10 Black people and wounded others, Higgins joined with downstate Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY-6, to introduce legislation broadly banning body armor for most civilians. It did not pass last session so they are introducing it again.

"At a granular level, this is becoming very common in these kinds of shootings, including the one that occurred here on May 14, so we're going to persist. This is the second time that this has been done and we're not going away," Higgins said.

Meng said the shock and sadness from the shooting impacted people across New York.

"This horrific racist tragedy is something that not only hurt the members of our Buffalo, New York community but something that has impacted New Yorkers from all corners of the state," she said.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and some family members of the victims also joined Thursday in encouraging the bill's passage this time around.

"Military grade assault weapons don't belong on our streets. Neither does military-grade armor," Zeneta Everhart, whose son was wounded, said.

New York has already passed a similar ban but advocates for the federal bill point out the shooter obtained his armor from another state. Gramaglia said while prospective murderers may find other ways to obtain equipment, a national ban is still worthwhile.

"It's going to be tough but you have to start somewhere. You're not going to get anywhere if you don't take that first step," he said.

The legislation does include exemptions for law enforcement, active-duty military and others who use the equipment for work.