Protect Your Kid With a Bulletproof Backpack
Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:51PM EDT
See Comments (44)
If I didn't see the video I wouldn't have believed it, but an enterprising pair of Boston fathers have crafted a backpack lined with bulletproof material. Inspired by the 1999 Columbine shootings, the $175 pack can stop most types of bullets, including, they say, 9mm hollow points.
The idea is not just to protect junior from getting shot in the back. Rather, he can pick up the backpack in an emergency and use it as a shield or a chestplate of sorts, too. (The pack is said to weigh a tenth of what police body armor weighs but offers the same level of protection.) I'm not entirely sure how well it would work just hanging loose in front of your body, but it's certainly going to be better at stopping bullets than a Trapper Keeper.
Paranoid? The company says 328 school shootings have occurred since 1999, leaving 229 dead and 422 injured. It doesn't sound so crazy with that in mind.
As a side note, be aware that it is illegal in the U.S. to own body armor if you are convicted, violent felon. State laws also vary on the subject, so be sure to check your local statutes before you buy.
The backpacks are indeed on sale. I dug around and found their web store for you; the company is called MJ Safety Solutions, and it offers the pack in two sizes. (Strangely, neither mentions that they are "bulletproof," though the company tagline makes it clear. An alternate site offers more info here.) One even has a computer sleeve, so you can spare your laptop along with your life. Double win!
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27 Posted by cazaridge@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse
It is a very sad fact of our times that our children and grandkids go to school if fear. If I had the money both of my grandsons would have one before the first day of school. My grandkids are taken to and picked up from their schools because between home and their schools there are registered perverts. We also wonder how many aren't on the lists. (and this is a "good" neighborhood) I hope some one will help these two fathers get these backpacks down in cost so more of us can afford them. My oldest grandson saw it on the news and asked if he can have one, but three days ago he wanted the one that had a speaker built in so he could play music. When asked why the change, he told us, "I love to listen to music, but I enjoy LIVING more." Out of the mouths of babes!
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28 Posted by heelysdragonfly on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse
it stink that something like this would have to be invented exspecially at my age because i am still in middle school. it would be helpful but , expensive . there is alot of supervision at my school. after school is just crazy! alot of students walk to star bucks and they dont have any supervision there so it it kind of scary anyways it sounds cool but as i said it is very expensive exspecially for people who are on a budget
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29 Posted by mahmrc732 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:03PM EDT Report Abuse
I THINK THIS A BAD IDEA. IF IT IS NOT HELPING OUR MILITARY WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP US. STOP BEING PARANOID AND TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF ANY SITUATION. ISN'T THAT HOW WE WERE TOUGHT. NOT BY COMPUTERS OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES. OR ANY OTHER CRAP THEY COME UP WITH. IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY. ONLY PROBLEM IS WE THE AMERICAN CITIZENS DON'T GET A DIME OF IT. SO WHY GIVE INTO THESE DEVICES IF THEY ARE NOT HELPING OUR FELLOW AMERICANS WHO ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP AMERICA FREE.
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30 Posted by tiggernmary2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse
I work less than a mile from where the Moscow, ID shootings took place. A crazy guy killed his wife, a police officer, and a church janitor IN THE CHURCH! He shot off about 1,500 rounds into the police station/county clerks offices. I would have never thought something like that would happen in this sleepy town but GUESS WHAT?! It did!!! I don't have children but I may get this for myself! It threw this town into panick. It's when you least expect it. What's wrong with something a little extra IN CASE a situation comes up. For all you adults out there....wouldn't you wear this in a dangerous city...?
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31 Posted by fluffythemagicelf on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse
These are pointless. Kids are only wearing their backpacks for a minimum amount of time during the day. Also, when they are wearing them, they're only protecting the child if he get----- from behind. It seems like it would be most useful if the child had the backpack at their desk and someone came into the classroom with a gun. Then they could use the backpack as a shield but I know schools do not allow backpacks at desks in the classroom because they are a firehazard. It's not going to help hen the packpack is sitting in a locker 98% of the day.
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32 Posted by odinsragess on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
ummm.... 9mm hollow point? hollow points have less penetration than regular "ball" type ammo.... so, the author tried to sound fancy.. but a regular bullet penetrates kevlar much easier than a hollow point...
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33 Posted by shadowviper311 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse
Gimme a break. The only reason I would want this is because its freakin sweet, and I tend to put ALOT of wear and tear on my stuff. Otherwise its yet another device to satisfy the increasingly paranioid minds of parents these days. I just want it to say that I have a kevlar backpack. Badass! haha. anyway, its joke that parents actually want this to protect their kids.
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34 Posted by jacquez_7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse
Sure it's awesome and a very good idea but can it be used effectively when under fire? it's not like body armor that you wear, this is totally different. You have to hold it up and use it as a shield, and hope your attacker is a good shot and doesn't miss the backpack. But in the end anything is better than nothing.
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35 Posted by ghetto9_119 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I hate to tell the developers of this product, but stopping a hollow point 9mm round isn't very impressive. It is a very innovative device and I want one, but when one can stop a .223 FMJ round then children are truely safe. Also, guns don't descriminate between a back and a chest...
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36 Posted by shadowviper311 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse
BOOZE lawl. i can't believe you guys think kids goto school in fear. Thats total crap. Unless you live in a terrible neighborhood, and in that case I would skip the whole "bulletproof backback" nonsense and go for a freakin kevlar vest. The backpack idea seems so ineffective.
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37 Posted by vincereadmaster on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse
I may be only 15, but i believe this is an awesome idea!! To the creators of this, I take my hat off to you.
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38 Posted by shaman_bonevene on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:16PM EDT Report Abuse
Doesn't help much in the vast amount of schools that do not allow kids to carry a backpack or if they need to be clear.
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39 Posted by patrickswitser on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse
This is a ridiculous thing.How is a child supposed to know where any gunman is going to shoot.Most people who would even think of doing something like that obviously has put thought into it an isn't just going to aim at the childs midsection or back.Maybe they should just realize that your children will never be 100% safe no matter what happens.Besides, spending 175 bucks on something this ridiculous, I mean come on. You can buy the same body armor soldiers wear today in combat for less money from an Army Navy Surplus store, maybe schools should just issue body armor, I mean thats what this situation awareness is going to eventually lead to. Not to mention the fact that that is basically what you're already doing to your children. Making them look ridiculous carrying armored backpacks to school. The nerve that companies have these days.
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40 Posted by marylea76 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:10PM EDT Report Abuse
I am going to collage and I am doing a report on violence in the schools and this will help me prove a point thanks.
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41 Posted by c_campbell_333 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
I like math
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42 Posted by alexjalaff01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse
justiceinmexico, That is the same attitude the parents of the 9/11 attacks had, before 9/11 of course. You always have to hope for the best, but expect the worst, and you'll live a aspirational life. I'm 14, please don't get on my case about typo's.
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43 Posted by c_campbell_333 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
what if you get dog ----- on the bag??
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44 Posted by azreal_ravnos on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse
parents will continue to praise this product untill it is used by the shooters themselves by taking the kevlar sheets form one or more packs to protect him self "police bullets stopped by shooters backpack as 5 more students are shot and killed"
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26 Posted by adamssonia@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse
This would be a good idea if you are guaranteed to be shot at in the back, or if you know exactly when a bullett is coming your way. What about your head? If I am a child and I hear ginshots I am not sure what part of my body I would want to protect first under an extremely stressful situation. Besides, as a teacher I do not allow backpacks into the classroom. I believe the parents who discovered the idea mean well, but this is just one more thing for students to worry about, instead of their education.