Two Los Angeles public officials are backing a bill that would resurrect a state law struck down by an appellate court that made it illegal for violent felons to possess body armor.

The proposed law is "an essential tool in protecting the safety of peace officers in the line of duty,'' Sen. Alex Padilla, its sponsor, said.

"I'd like to stress that possession of body armor by violent felons is not just a law enforcement issue,'' District Attorney Steve Cooley said. "This is also a serious public safety concern for our communities.''

A panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal overturned the ban last month after it was challenged by Ethan Saleem, a felon with a voluntary manslaughter conviction who was on parole when he was found in possession of a bulletproof vest, according to the District Attorney's Office.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown today asked the California Supreme Court to review the case.

"The appellate court wrongly threw out an important law that prohibited felons from possessing body armor,'' Brown said. "We're asking the Supreme Court to review the decision and restore important protections for the men and women in law enforcement.''