[backwoods-engineer]

The only time these vests save lives is when a) cops actually wear them; b) the bad guys only have pistol-caliber firearms; c) the bad guys can't make a head shot; and/or d) the cops stay behind additional cover.

These vests are not some magic Star Trek shield. All it takes is a decent centerfire deer rifle caliber to take out someone in a vest. And less that that if a head shot is made.

[Immerito]

You learn something new every day.

Thank you,

[Thane_Banquo]

All it takes is a decent centerfire deer rifle caliber to take out someone in a vest. And less that that if a head shot is made.

Most gangbangers prefer 380 ACP or 9mm pistols and submachine guns. And they can't hit crap because they fire one-handed with their hands tilted 90 degrees counter-clockwise just like Snoop Dogg, yo.

Alternatively to wearing a vest, one could simply stand directly in front of them while they fire, because that is the safest place to be.

[GonzoGOP]

These vests are not some magic Star Trek shield. All it takes is a decent centerfire deer rifle caliber to take out someone in a vest. And less that that if a head shot is made.

True, but heavy caliber rifles are hard to conceal. Even an AK-47 with the stock folded is going to stick out. The vast majority of police shootings are results of snap shots from concealed weapons. If somebody is robbing a bank with a rifle you call the swat team sniper to deal with the problem.

You can't protect against every possible danger. But you can guard against the most common ones.