I would enjoy having some sort of purchasable bullet proof vest even if it provided say 50% armour in order to provide some protection. Having it provide half armour % would still provide incentives for persons with a high motivation to engage in hostile RP to seek out existing avenues for the full armour amount.
This also would potentially allow non criminal players to obtain some protection for a price (being a money sink consumable) which may benefit the economy.
Just my thoughts..