Civilian Access to Body Armor Stirs Debate

Wall Street Journal ^ | June 17, 2016 | Ben Kesling

[KeyLargo]

[2ndDivisionVet]

So only government officials and big shots deserve protection from assailants?

[trisham]

Why shouldn’t we be allowed as much protection as the government?

[marron]

I used to enjoy reading Ferfal’s website, in which he talks about life in a country that has unraveled.

He has several good points and one of them is your need for body armor for yourself and your family. His recommendation is to get it while you can, because later it can be much more difficult and expensive.

[Squantos]

No worries ...... a fifth of good scotch will make me ten foot tall and bulletproof.... guess it will have to do if they ban body armor.

[2ndDivisionVet]

It’s not perfect, though. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was wearing a surprisingly modern vest, yet he died anyway.

[nevergore]

Level 3a armor doesn’t stop armor piercing rifle ammo...in fact, won’t stop most high power rifle ammo.....this is the only level available to civilians....level 4 is military.... The armor the Orlando terrorist tried to purchase was level 3a.....
Stupid WSJ writer and editor....

[trisham]

It’s insane.

[Riley]

It’ll stop AP rifle ammo? What caliber AP ammo? I wouldn’t trust Level III with plates that far. Granted, I’m not current in the subject, but that seems like a tall order.

I want a vest that will stop 120mm APDSFS. I’ll look like a 30 foot in diameter beach ball while wearing it. I won’t be able to walk in it, I’ll have to be rolled everywhere by a team of assistants. I’d only be able to wear it in arctic conditions, elsewhere it’d be too hot.

[KeyLargo]

“Why shouldn’t we be allowed as much protection as the government?”

I believe that you would have to start with at least an air-force....

But, anyway personal armor good for additional home defense.

[philman_36]

Ah, somebody finally gets what the real target is.

[Lurker]

Bullletproofme.com.

No relationship other than a satisfied customer.

L

[katana]

Only the nobility may wear armor ... has a sort of medieval ring to it, eh?

[trisham]

You’re right, of course. Still...

[gigster]

So, do these people that buy body armor for themselves hope to be shot by someone else or a LEO? It seems suicidal on it's face. They are purposefully putting themselves in a situation where this very thing could happen.

[Ketill Frostbeard]

First thing I discovered when someone took me coyote hunting with a rabbit call is what a different proposition it is to shoot and hit something running directly at you full tilt.

I also decided I liked coyotes and I didn’t want to shoot them :)

[Paladin2]

Armored backpacks are already available, for the children. How are defensive technologies inherently bad?

[rawcatslyentist]

They should be selling these at the 7-11s in Chicago.

But then again BLMs not so much to themselves.

[Iron Munro]

Wait ‘til the force field device replaces that cumbersome Kevlar, ceramic and steel stuff.

[Bogey78O]

Lvl IV is available to everyone.