What is everyone's stance on bullet-proof vests? Are they a necessity or do you think they are too cumbersome to be worn daily, thereby reducing their chances of protecting one's life. Also, are the purchases of vests as closely regulated as firearms(i.e. background checks, waiting periods, etc.)?
Bulletproof Vests?
- Thread starter Ron-Bon
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What do you do in your everyday life that puts you at such risk that you think you need to wear one?
I wore one everyday in my job as a police officer. They are hot, uncomfortable and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone who after a careful assessment of their lifestyle and risks, really could justify the expense and discomfort.
The only laws regulating them I'm aware of are laws that make it illegal to wear one while committing a crime. Some companies and distributors have internal policies restricting sales to sworn personnel. But there are plenty of places to buy them.
I wore one everyday in my job as a police officer. They are hot, uncomfortable and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone who after a careful assessment of their lifestyle and risks, really could justify the expense and discomfort.
The only laws regulating them I'm aware of are laws that make it illegal to wear one while committing a crime. Some companies and distributors have internal policies restricting sales to sworn personnel. But there are plenty of places to buy them.
I don't do anything in my everyday life that makes a vest necessary, however I do live in a moderately high crime urban area. And I have also been shot before so I always have in the back of my mind that violence can take place anywhere, regardless of one's lifestyle
I just wanted to know how others felt about bullet-proof vests.
I just wanted to know how others felt about bullet-proof vests.
Most people on here will recommend not getting one. I've seen this question asked many time before. My stance is that it's not very practical, but if it helps you sleep at night....
Keep in mind that there's really no such thing as a "bullet-proof" vest. They're merely different grades of resistence. 
To the best of my knowledge they are seldom popular for regular usage. Both because of their expense, and the discomfort of wearing them as pointed out.
There may be special occasion where one would come in handy for those who's regular work does not require them, but mostly I believe they would be a waste of money for the average person.
That said, it is always a personal choice based on ones assesment of their needs, and the bullet resistant vests are available without restriction in most area of the country.
There may be special occasion where one would come in handy for those who's regular work does not require them, but mostly I believe they would be a waste of money for the average person.
That said, it is always a personal choice based on ones assesment of their needs, and the bullet resistant vests are available without restriction in most area of the country.
If I lived in an area where I thought it necessary to wear a vest I would invest the money in moving, not buying a vest.
I'll admit I've toyed with the idea of buying a used one for a SHTF stash but I don't know how practical it would be.
If I was doing any kind of security work, I would, walking around town or mowing the lawn...? Absolutely not.
ewww...used vest = bad idea imo.
they have life expectancies and you don't know how the other guy used it or stored or took care of it
they have life expectancies and you don't know how the other guy used it or stored or took care of it
it's nice to have it if you feel you need it.
i've spent a lot of time in pistol and carbine classes, and in several of them, body armor was REQUIRED kit (shoothouse).
thing is, when it's 90 degrees out and humid, it really sucks to wear even soft armor. on the flip side, when it's freezing out, body armor has the added benefit of helping you stay warm.
so i guess it depends on where you live (weather) and what circumstances might dictate the use of it (high crime areas).
lots of options out there ... check out http://www.bulletproofme.com
i've spent a lot of time in pistol and carbine classes, and in several of them, body armor was REQUIRED kit (shoothouse).
thing is, when it's 90 degrees out and humid, it really sucks to wear even soft armor. on the flip side, when it's freezing out, body armor has the added benefit of helping you stay warm.
so i guess it depends on where you live (weather) and what circumstances might dictate the use of it (high crime areas).
lots of options out there ... check out http://www.bulletproofme.com
I own a vest and it stays in the trunk of my car. I figure I'll probably never need it, but if I do, I'd like to have it close by.
I used to work in a night club that had a lot of violence, so I thought that a vest was a good idea to have. Nowadays, I only wear it if I'm going to the range, since a lot of idiots shoot at public ranges and don't know the 4 rules of safe gun handling.
I would not wear a vest every day unless I worked in a dangerous profession that required it. I do like knowing that I have one in my trunk, though and I wouldn't say it's a bad investment.
I keep a lot of useful stuff in my trunk. Almost all of it is in my emergency duffle bag. The vest is not in the bag, because I figure in the off chance that I need it, I'll probably need it quickly and won't want to be digging through a bag to get it. I know that it isn't doing me any good if I'm not wearing it, but I don't find myself in enough situations where I need it anymore.
I used to work in a night club that had a lot of violence, so I thought that a vest was a good idea to have. Nowadays, I only wear it if I'm going to the range, since a lot of idiots shoot at public ranges and don't know the 4 rules of safe gun handling.
I would not wear a vest every day unless I worked in a dangerous profession that required it. I do like knowing that I have one in my trunk, though and I wouldn't say it's a bad investment.
I keep a lot of useful stuff in my trunk. Almost all of it is in my emergency duffle bag. The vest is not in the bag, because I figure in the off chance that I need it, I'll probably need it quickly and won't want to be digging through a bag to get it. I know that it isn't doing me any good if I'm not wearing it, but I don't find myself in enough situations where I need it anymore.
You are most likely greatly shortening it's useful lifespan. By how much depends on what the armor is made of and what temperature extremes occur where you live.
I live in Washington. The temperature almost never goes above 90 degrees or below 30. Our average is about 50 degrees.
Besides, of all of the equipment I own, I think the vest is my least concern, or second only to my gas mask which I am almost certain I will never need. Both of these things are kind of embarassing to admit to owning, but cheap enough that it would be unwise (IMO) not to. I only ever bought the gas mask because it was cheap, and I got a great deal on the vest, which is only a level IIa.
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Yes, go ahead and buy one, but get the bulkiest one that will fit under a shirt... you know, one that will make your chest and shoulders look huge. That way, potential attackers will take one look at you and think "My Gawd! Lookit the size of that guy! I ain't gonna mess wit him!" 
Or you could wear football pads.
I don't own one, but from what I've observed, they aren't exactly discrete for day-to-day dress. I'd imagine it would get left behind a lot. Still, I wouldn't mind having one for the pracice range.
Or you could wear football pads.I don't own one, but from what I've observed, they aren't exactly discrete for day-to-day dress. I'd imagine it would get left behind a lot. Still, I wouldn't mind having one for the pracice range.
Sorry to hear that, Ron-Bon. I'd probably want a vest after that, too.
Me too. It was part of what helped me to talk myself into buying one.
I make about $30k, I have horrible credit, and I live in one of the most expensive states in the nation. Where exactly is this safer neighborhood that I can afford to live in?
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If violence can take place at any time, then it's not going to do you any good in the trunk of your car. Let's face it, no one can live any kind of risk free life. Every one of us makes trade offs between comfort, convenience and safety. If you are going someplace where the threat level is high enough that you think you need to wear bnody armor, then maybe you should rethink going there. Few of us have to go to those kinds of places.
I completely agree. I doubt I'll ever need it because I avoid going to places that I don't feel safe. And if I ever do need it, I'll probably need it immediately. But I'd still rather have it close by than choose between wearing it all the time and leaving it at home. I can't think of a scenario that I would need it in, but you never know. I just feel more comfortable knowing that it's there if I need it.
If you've got a bunch of money lying around, go ahead and get one and keep it next to your bed for bumps in the night. Unless you are in a risky job like police or (some)security, there isn't much point to wearing one every day. It will be far more work than it's worth.
I cant imagine anyone continuing to live in an area where they have to consider wearing a bullet proof vest. There has not been enough money PRINTED to make me stay in a place like that. Tell us where you live in Everett so I can be sure to stay the hell out of there.
not too long ago i picked up a new level IIIA soft armor vest for around $400.
i guess it boils down to how much you think your life is worth. me, i'd rather not have to wear it every day , that is, move out of a high-crime area, but if you can't for whatever reason, what's $400-$600 compared to your life?
i guess it boils down to how much you think your life is worth. me, i'd rather not have to wear it every day , that is, move out of a high-crime area, but if you can't for whatever reason, what's $400-$600 compared to your life?
That's a load of crap and you know it. You could say the same thing about any major purchase, and just because I can't afford to spend $400-600 on a vest doesn't mean I don't value my life. You don't have to come in here and be a snob and act like those of us that can't afford to pay for added safety don't value our lives. I'm really sick of this attitude.
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