I have been hearing a lot of talk about folks wanting those bullet-proof backpacks for their children, or finding other defensive systems for their children that attend public schools.
I’m not really going to go into any specific brands, but I noticed one parent commenting that they got some level IIA clipboards for their child.
Would something like that have helped in the situation in Connecticut? IF the shooter did indeed use a .223 rifle, the answer is no.
You see, there are multiple types of body armor panels, and differing thicknesses/flexibility within those. The higher the level of protection, the more the expense. Getting armor in a higher level that is more flexible is more expensive.
A few years ago I wrote an article about body armor as a type of informational primer. You can find that article at…
I’d recommend that you take some time to read it, it covers the types of rounds that each level can be expected to stop. However, none of the concealable, flexible types of armor will stop a rifle round. .223, .308, .30-06, and others will run right through them.
The odds of needing such a product are low. I’d recommend that you study up and determine if the product you are looking at will really make a difference based on what you are paying for it, and how your child understands to employ it if necessary.
If the school lets them have their backpack at their desk, that’s one thing. If they require them to hang them all up along the wall, they might not even have the time to get to it – if it might make any difference at all.
James Bell Jr.