Bulletproof backpacks.

[MikePGS]

I saw a video on MSN.com and since its easier, looked up the same topic on youtube and came up with this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=VHXoQGrNFyQ
Supposedly, it will stop 9mm, .45 caliber and .38 special from a distance of 15 feet (The MSN clip confirms this)Pretty interesting except for one problem: You'd have to have your back to the person shooting, and you would only be protected if they were shooting at the backpack. In my opinion, this is basically teaching people to be victims, as opposed to coming up with a viable solution to a problem. Is this trying to promote the idea that a gunman will aim entirely at the backpack and after firing a single round and seeing the person grunt in pain and possibly fall, stop? The idea that a backpack is going to prevent this sort of thing as opposed to CCW is ridiculous. Oh one more thing: MSRP is 500$ Plus.

 

[Devonai]

You could always aircraft-load your rucksack.

As an accessory to concealed carry, it is worth some merit. By itself, one has to wonder.

 

[ilbob]

Are you planning to arm 12 YO kids? They could use the bag. Better that then nothing. Hopefully they are running away and the bag is between them and the shooter.

I think it is only a matter of time before Islamic nut cases wipe out a few schools here in the US. They are easy targets, and there is no defense against it. I think the only thing holding them back from direct terror strikes in the US is they think Obama or Hillary will win. If they strike before the election, the US electorate will rethink Obama and Hillary.

They real bad want a Democrat in the white house, and will do what they can to help one win. Right now that means no serious terror strikes in the US. They will of course be doing planning and gathering information for the next series of attacks.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Uh... You're kids backpack with a biology and algebra book in it will already stop a .45. You don't need the Kelvar in there.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Uh... You're kids backpack with a biology and algebra book in it will already stop a .45. You don't need the Kelvar in there.

That may be true, but what about mind bullets?

 

[Geronimo45]

Anybody read the reports on the VT shooting? He went walking back to rooms he'd already shot up, shooting anybody that still seemed to be alive. The backpack idea's not especially great, but it's better than nothing - and nothing seems to be what legislators are happy to do about the situation.

 

[Big Boomer]

but as the zero tolerance policy is in effect in most schools this would be considered "body armor" and would get you expelled

Nothing gun related remember?!

 

[LeafsFan]

I guess the theory is that you'd be running away from him towards the exit and the pack would stop anything he fired at you as you ran.

Personally, even if I were carrying in that situation, my primary goal would still be to get out of there alive, not confront the badguy and trade shots with him, so the pack would be a nice piece of equipment have in addition to a pistol.

 

[never_retreat]

This already made it to 77 posts awhile ago.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=294787&highlight=bullet+proof+pack

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

This idea reminds me of a line from Firefly:

"What about his face? Is his face wearing armor?"

 

[bluestarlizzard]

*sigh* oh that silly wash.
hmmm. anyway. i think if you are going to the extreme of getting body armor for your kids, just get a dang vest. duhhhh....

 

[scout26]

Heck, I just duct tapes trauma plates to my little crumbcrunchers. I hear they can take multiple .308 hits while the munchkins execute 3-5 second rushes to get into the school.

 

[TimboKhan]

Heck, I just duct tapes trauma plates to my little crumbcrunchers. I hear they can take multiple .308 hits while the munchkins execute 3-5 second rushes to get into the school.

Do you cover their advance with a breakdown NEF in 375 H&H? If not, you should.

 

[scout26]

Do you cover their advance with a breakdown NEF in 375 H&H? If not, you should.

Nope, We live just down the street from the school. I prefer to use something belt fed to keep the Tangos head down. They "claim" to be other parents in minivans just dropping off their kids, but I *know* that those are really mobile IED's filled with mini-suicide bombers..........

 

[LAK]

No a bad idea; for anyone. You do not necessarily have to be wearing it as a backpack is intended to be worn. If it stops bullets - it stops bullets. You could loop the straps over your forearm and cover your front, side, head - whatever you hold it out in front of. I remember years ago there were bullet resistant clipboards on the market.

---------------------------

http://searchronpaul.com
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[brigadier]

Personally, even if I were carrying in that situation, my primary goal would still be to get out of there alive, not confront the badguy and trade shots with him, so the pack would be a nice piece of equipment have in addition to a pistol.

I duno man. I find it quicker, easier and less troubling on my conscience to draw and shoot. If someone opens up on me and/or innocent people and I have a gun on me, it's going to be smoking.

 

[TimboKhan]

If someone opens up on me and/or innocent people and I have a gun on me, it's going to be smoking

I would say that I agree with this statement, at least to the extent that I would much prefer to fight back as opposed to trying to absorb rounds with my backpack, bulletproof or otherwise. I am not convinced that the bulletproof backpack idea is a great one (and I am including a regular backpack full of books in that statement), simply because I don't know that most people are going to have the presence of mind to hear shots and then whip their backpack around to provide cover. Hell, I don't know that I would have the presence of mind to do that, to be honest. I have trained for a long time to think "gun" in situations like that. I have trained zero amount of time to think "backpack", and as anyone will tell you, you always revert to training. If you can do it, it's good. Some cover is better than no (or non-bulletproof) cover, but in the grand scheme of things, I think that stopping the threat via armed resistance (dominance?) is the better tactic.

Also, if you flipped a backback around for chest protection, how hard would it be to shoot with that thing sticking out, pulling on your shoulders in wierd ways, adding weight up front? That might be an interesting range test for someone to try sometime.

 

[Outlaws]

Pretty interesting except for one problem: You'd have to have your back to the person shooting, and you would only be protected if they were shooting at the backpack. In my opinion, this is basically teaching people to be victims, as opposed to coming up with a viable solution to a problem. Is this trying to promote the idea that a gunman will aim entirely at the backpack and after firing a single round and seeing the person grunt in pain and possibly fall, stop? The idea that a backpack is going to prevent this sort of thing as opposed to CCW is ridiculous. Oh one more thing: MSRP is 500$ Plus.

Couple problems with this statement.

1. Most gunmen don't seem to be taking precision shots unless its point blank executions or the DC sniper incidents. So most kids getting shot are running and the gunmen are just firing at them.

2. A backpack protects a large portion of the vital area. Getting shot in the legs or arms is less likely to kill you right then and there than taking one somewhere in the mid section. Heads are one of the most animate parts of the body and if you are running, getting hit in the head doesn't mean the gunman was a good shot or was even aiming for it. But put your head down while you run.

3. Yes, a gun is a better defense against criminals than a bullet proof backpack. But lets get our heads out of the clouds and realize that a bullet proof backpack can be used to shield your face and upper mid section while running away without any thought process because its already there - You will stand a much better chance of making out the door and away from immediate danger. This is not debatable. Sorry, but anything between you and a bullet good thing. Just because ideally everyone would have a gun doesn't mean that ideally everyone wouldn't also have something to shield themselves with. So why bash one just because they won't let you have the other?

4. If you can get the gunman to waste ammo, that is a good thing. Any bullets hitting the backpack are wasted ammo and that in and of itself might save others lives, if not your own.

 

[Apple a Day]

I did some testing of handgun rounds versus simple books. Results are posted under the General Hangun forum.

 

[jerkface11]

Gecko45 would love this. I bet you could even carry trauma plates in it!!

 

[paramedic70002]

But the Tangos use Aks!

Against your garden variety home grown shooter it could work as long as the churruns could be trusted to retrieve their BP in time of crisis. My kid has been trained to zig zag while he's running, which is probably just as effective as anything else.

 

[41magsnub]

but what about mind bullets?

That's telekinesis Kyle!

 

[Mauserguy]

My wife and I saw that story on the TV. She turned to me and said that that was really dumb, that they should just give teachers guns and shoot attackers. She's coming along well.
Mauserguy

 

[Harley Quinn]

Heck, I just duct tapes trauma plates to my little crumbcrunchers. I hear they can take multiple .308 hits while the munchkins execute 3-5 second rushes to get into the school.

Yes...

This is a sad situation and one that is informative, if we have to resort to what you are mentioning it is better to have them have one back pack and chest pack (with books) they wont get skin rash from the tape. Better for them and they can easily remove the packs.