What Civilian Needs Body Armor?

[graylocks]

this question wove through my mind as i was walking my dog today. why is body armor sold to non-combatants? it's not like the deer, ducks, squirrels, elephants, lions, giraffes, tigers, or rare goats are shooting back.

could that perhaps be one of the red flag warnings? you don't really need body armor unless you expect people to be shooting at you and, generally speaking, people don't shoot at you unless you are shooting at them (though i guess that could vary by neighborhood...).

[gabester]

Freedom of speech means you have a constitutional right to wear whatever you want, I suppose.

So tax the hell out of the body armor and exempt first responders, much like we allow schoolteachers today to buy supplies tax-free?

[Sarcany]

Ever been in a really aggressive paintball game?

Body armor would be nice.

[Blankity Blank]

Well as far as the legality, let’s ask the folks who sell it.

“In the United States it is legal to purchase and possess body armour, except for a few states:
In Connecticut, body armour can only be purchased in person, and cannot be purchased online, over the phone, or by mail. In New York, a proposed ban of body armour for private citizens is currently debated. In Kentucky, committing a crime while wearing or even owning body armour is a crime in and of itself. In Louisiana, it is illegal to wear body armour on school property or on campus.

Even in regions, where wearing body armour is legal, overt (visible, on top of clothing) body armour is likely to attract attention from both the general public and law enforcement officials. Police officers may want to confirm why you are wearing a vest as this is unusual for a civilian out in public places. Additionally, this may cause other people to become worried and frightened as they might think there is an imminent danger or that you are a threat yourself. [ :biggrin: ] In such cases it is important to remain calm and explain your reasons for wearing body armour. As long as you are abiding by the law, police officers are likely to be understanding.

A way to avoid this situation altogether is to opt for a covert vest, which is worn underneath the clothing. This still provides you additional safety against ballistic, stab or spike attacks, but remains out of sight to anyone else. You can then move freely in public places with a greater degree of anonymity.”

For as little as $310.00 you’re all set with protection against “.44 Magnum, Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets... [and] 9mm full-metal jacketed bullets...”

“Level IIIA body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available from concealable body armor.”

[GGD]

They sell bulletproof backpacks for school children these days.

And demand for them is increasing.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/08/us/bullet...index.html

[Ombligo]

Anyone hunting with Dick Cheney

[graylocks]

GGD wrote:
They sell bulletproof backpacks for school children these days.

And demand for them is increasing.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/08/us/bullet...index.html

sadly, those backpacks do make sense to me.

[graylocks]

Ombligo wrote:
Anyone hunting with Dick Cheney

point taken. miley-laughing001:

[Blankity Blank]

Ombligo wrote:
Anyone hunting with Dick Cheney

Boom

[Speedy]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...stic-gear/

“The bulletproof panels are designed to withstand multiple rounds from a handgun — and two of this season’s bestsellers are emblazoned with Disney princesses and Avengers superheroes.

“Here’s our demographic: parents with kids,” said Steve Naremore, founder of TuffyPacks, a Houston-based company that sells bulletproof backpack inserts. “It’s a real morbid niche.”

And a growing one: Sales have increased every year since 2016.

This is America in 2019, where mass shootings have become so commonplace that consumers are buying bulletproof backpacks, clipboards, even three-ring binder inserts, that they hope will protect them from gunfire. Retailers across the country say they have seen growing demand for bullet-resistant products for children — as well as for doctors, teachers, flight attendants and taxi drivers — giving rise to an industry of ballistic goods for everyday Americans, though there is little evidence the products are actually effective.

For the first time, Office Max and Office Depot have included bulletproof backpacks among their back-to-school offerings, while online retailers are marketing bulletproof whiteboards, chair cushions and kids’ puffer vests that tap into a growing sense of fear and helplessness.”