Posted on 08/01/2019 1:32:27 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
The options for back-to-school shoppers are endless just weeks before school actually starts. OfficeMax in Dallas is giving parents another option to consider: bulletproof backpacks.
Two different bulletproof backpacks by Guard Dog were on the shelves at the Haskell location in Dallas. The Pro-Shield Smart backpack boasts a Level III-A protection. The manual shows it's been tested against a .44 Magnum and a 9mm and passed a test with no bullet penetrations through the backpack.
WFAA also put the backpack to the firing test at the Garland Public Shooting Range with John Coulton, who has been an NRA Certified Instructor for 25 years. He said he's shot at many targets, but never a backpack.
First, Coulton shot a .45 caliber firearm from 21 feet away. It pierced a hole through much of the items inside the backpack. All the files, folders, and notebooks all had holes in them. It did not, however, pierce through to the back of the pack.
Next, Coulton fired the .44 Magnum.
While it pierced through most of the internal contents, it did not pierce through the back of the backpack. It did, however, do some serious damage to the back lining.
"As you can see it put a lot of energy through the target. It bowed the back of the backpack," Coulton said.
The manufacturer said it tested the bag with a .44 Magnum caliber five times and passed it with no penetrations.
Next up, Coulton shot an AR-15 with .223 caliber rounds, and it easily pierced its way through the back. The product description makes no mention of tests against this kind of rifle.
"Unfortunately, that is the weapon a lot of these school shootings are using. [The backpack] has potential for everything else, not for the rifles," Coulton said.
Campus Safety Magazine chief Robin Hattersley worries these products take advantage of people's fears. She cannot speak to the effectiveness of the product. But she does say it's very unlikely a student will have access to their backpack at all times during the school day and it's far far more unlikely a shooting event happens at their school.
"The student a lot of times doesn't even wear their backpack. Maybe they're in class or the library," Hattersley said.
Hattersley said parents should rather spend their time focusing on Internet safety and monitoring their child's social media. She said the online threats are very real threats that happen to schoolchildren every day. Hattersley also encouraged parents to be more active in their communities by attending safety and security meetings.
"Spending $200 on a bulletproof backpack doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense," Hattersley said.
WFAA reached out to the Guard Dog manufacturer, and has not heard back.
The backpack is just another option for parents, and a pricey option at that. But it may be an option parents are willing to choose in these times.
I seem to remember seeing something from the manufacturer recommended that the user position the bag up high at the shoulders while running away. I figured I’d use it as a “shield” while shooting back, but that’s just me. :-)
Textbooks would probably stop a lot of rounds. Those are probably too heavy for the kids, though.
I’m pretty sure this is the one they bought me -
https://guarddog-security.com/proshield-ii-black
... the details state 3.86 lbs. :-)
I’ve not heard of kids getting shot on the way to school, or home from school.
Wouldn’t their backpacks be in their lockers during school hours? Or do kids tote them around all day, now?
We had to carry our books and notebooks and pencil cases to and from class IN OUR ARMS like the BARBARIANS we were, LOL!
Of course, we kept our guns, ammo and knives locked in the trunks of our cars out in the parking lot. We only had about two hours to hunt small game or fish after school before we had to be home for chores - which usually involved more sharp agricultural instruments, LOL!
To pull a knife or a gun on someone you had a disagreement with at school was CHEATING! NO ONE would do that! Ever! Fist fights, or hair-pulling cat-fights for the girls. (Those, of course, were the best.)
Wow. That is lighter than I figured.
I have a work bag with an insert ( I work in ER and the hospital went “patient friendly” so NO locked doors or security). Ditto one as a backpack insert since I travel overseas a lot. Very light weight. Will only stop a pistol round but it’s better than nothing.
I don’t know to make of it. I just read the spec sheet that came with it, and it’s certified by some lab somewhere to be NIJ TL-3A... but I’ve got a serviceable TL-3A “Interceptor” vest and as you probably know, it’s an entirely different ANIMAL. With the plates, it’s just downright heavy. But as far as a laptop bag is concerned, I like this thing. I like it though because in my line of work I have to keep things organized and the bag has enough compartmented storage to keep things separate and organized. I’ve never, EVER used the audio connection, nor have I ever put my mobile device in it, so I can’t even say if that works or not. I’m “guessing” that it does. :-) I’ve had this thing since Feb and IF it wears as well as my previous bag, I’ll call it a SUCCESS!... but we’ll see what it looks like in five years. :-) So far, all the “expensive” laptop bags I’ve had all break within three years... EXCEPT for that DoD issued cammo assault pack!...which came to me at no cost to myself!
So, an easy way to put together your own bullet proof vest at home where they’re not legal to buy otherwise, huh? Throw in some of the Mythbusters tips and you’re looking good.
COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!
1) Several school districts do not allow kids to carry their backpacks into the classrooms.
2) Most kids who use backpacks have them hung on hooks away from their person and/or in their locker.
The one plus is these things stop most handgun rounds, which CONTRARY to the news report, are the most commonly used weapons in school shootings. AR-15’s are used less than 33% of the time in school shootings! Handguns and shotguns are much more common, so if they have their backpack with them, they MAY have a better chance to survive.
Fox 13, Tampa reported that they are available in the Tampa Bay area and cost $100 to $150 dollars
They’ve been around in one form or another for 25 years. They were popular in Detroit at least that long ago.
CC
WRT: 2
Ever cut Kevlar?
==8-O
I’d throw it at the shooter and run screaming like a little girl so i wouldn’t be the ideal person to have with you in that situation :)
So what’s the additional weight and thickness?
About 1/2 an inch and a couple of pounds. Here is a video link to something similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7jiIQOgwtI
Not that he does NOT use a metal plate. Weight is not an exact science due to different “weights” of the fabric and epoxy - sorry.
Sometimes running away and screaming is a viable solution. Sometimes it’s not. :-)
Agreed! :)
I’ve had guns pulled on me twice.
I didn’t run because 1. i would be four feet away before they shot me in the back. 2. I DID NOT think that in those particular situations, they were going to use it.
Well one wasn’t PULLED on me, I saw it sticking out of a small carry on a guy I was driving had.
And that’s ok but he wanted to go to a courthouse that was closed at 3am and in a very bad neighborhood.
I parked the car at a light and ran out!!
I called the dispatcher and he said “where’s the car??”
I said “I dunno!! I guess still at the light!!”
It was. Passenger was gone
Sick. Next, children will wear fashionable Kevlar clothes.
Sick. Next, children will wear fashionable Kevlar clothes.
extra large for the obese student XXXL ??
how heavy are these and wil there be lawsuits suing the maker for straining the child who must heft them ?
what about when they fail because shot isnt on the backpack ?? I see lawyers rubbing their hands together and smilling thinking up future lawsuits
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