Fathers Create Bulletproof Backpack

Flatbutt1 · 08-12-2007, 07:18 AM

So beyond the extreme paranoia of this,isn't it illegal for a citizen to own a bulletproof vest? Would this even qualify as such?

Fathers Create Bulletproof Backpacks
Parents Take Defensive Action

POSTED: 5:59 pm EDT August 9, 2007
UPDATED: 6:24 pm EDT August 9, 2007

BOSTON -- It's time for parents to make the annual trek to get back to school items, which usually includes jeans, jerseys and a few notebooks.

NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported Thursday that a couple of North Shore men want parents to consider something else -- a bulletproof backpack.

"They have them with them on the floor, on their laps, on the bus. They always have a backpack," said Joe Curran, of My Child's Pack.

It started with the Columbine shooting in 1999. Curran and Mike Pelonzi said that they watched and worried for their own children. They had the idea to hide bulletproof material inside a backpack. They call it defensive action.

"If the kid has a backpack next to them, or under the desk, they can pick it up, the straps act as a handle and it becomes a shield," Curran said.

It's much lighter than a 15-pound police vest. After three years of experimenting, the backpacks that were tested by an outside lab ranked threat level two. It stops an assortment of bullets, including 9-millimeter hollow point bullets. The fathers researched school shootings from 1900 to this year.

They will sell for $175, but do the special book bags play upon paranoia when most schools are called safe?

"I want to keep my kid safe. I don't care what you do -- if you want to fight the good fight or fix the world's hurts, I can't help you, but my kids are going to be safe because of these backpacks," Curran said.

on-ramp · 08-12-2007, 07:27 AM

how about bulletproof books? Obviously when you are walking to class holding a book in your chest, that could serve as protection from flying bullets.

but wait a minute, if you holding your book, that means you hands are in front of the book, so that's no good. now you will need bulletproof gloves...

Mule · 08-12-2007, 07:41 AM

Simpler approach might be (put your hands over your ears lefties) eliminate the "gun free zone" status of schools. If someone felt like they would get shot down before their scheme unfolded they might act differently.

bell · bell's Garage

i remember 20 years ago where the only thing that worried us in school was getting caught "making out" with the new girl under the bleachers in the gym

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

You could do like Clint did in that one flick and have a thick steel plate, kinda heavy, but would work. Gun Free Zone would make a fine target, I must say.

cashflyer · 08-12-2007, 09:12 AM

I don't know about individual state laws, but generally it is not illegal to own a bullet proof vest.

Though there are different levels of protection, the most common ballistic "bullet proof" vests do not stop most rifle rounds, nor some handgun rounds, and offer almost no protection against stabbing or pregnancy.

Harris and Klebold used shotguns and a 9mm carbine. A level 2 vest is required to stop the a 9mm round. And even the best vest can only protect the area that's covered. At least 3 of the Columbine victims were shot in the head.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer

I don't know about individual state laws, but generally it is not illegal to own a bullet proof vest.

Though there are different levels of protection, the most common ballistic "bullet proof" vests do not stop most rifle rounds, nor some handgun rounds, and offer almost no protection against stabbing or pregnancy.

Not so sure about that, most bullet proof vests make you look pretty dorky.