Bulletproof Shield Slips into Backpacks
Thu Oct 4, 2007 9:30AM EDT
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Chris Null told us about this $175 bulletproof backpack designed by two dads in time for the start of the school year. But they are not the only ones who are aiming to make backpacks and other portable bags a defense against sudden violence in an unpredictable world.
BackPackShield Manufacturing offers a $249 shield made of more than 10 layers of bullet-resistant DuPont Kevlar fabric—in an array of 10 colors. It's about a half-inch thick and weighs about as much as a big textbook, but the company says it will fend off most handgun bullets, including 9 mm and .44 Magnum.
The Austin, Texas-based BackPackShield Manufacturing was founded by Kerry Clark, who is also president of AMPTECH Research, a defense and aerospace supplier. He has spent decades designing and testing missiles and other highly explosive ordnance. While working with the U.S. Air Force as it was lining attack helicopters with bullet-resistant Kevlar, he came up with the idea for a similar, smaller shield to line students' backpacks.
BackPackShield company spokesman Mike Romanies says EMTs and commuters may find the shield appealing, too. They are available for purchase at backpackshield.com or by calling 512-288-4789.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, I know, but I'm not ready to outfit my kids with backpack armor. I'd love to hear from parents who would consider buying a bulletproof shield or backpack and if you think it would really make a difference if the unthinkable were to happen at your kids' schools.
Comments on Bulletproof Shield Slips into Backpacks
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2 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. All the school shootings that have been on the news happened during the day like at lunch or in classrooms when the child would not have their backpack with them.
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3 Posted by daniela_mcdonald on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow, this product is really enraging, those people just want to tap into the fear that is going around lately. I proposse for parents to take more care of their children and raise them well, so armored backpacks are not needed, what's next: Armored school uniforms? Better, make some changes to a gun favoring legislation.
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4 Posted by jemeives on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse
Only the bad guys are going to purchase these, so cops can't shoot'em.
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5 Posted by jittery_pillow@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse
Changes to a gun favoring legislation? Get real. Change all the danged laws you want, criminals will still get their hands on weapons, and will still hurt innocent people. That's why they're criminals. Nobody ever put a gun into the hand of a law abiding citizen and they suddenly said, "Wait! I have a gun now! Let's perforate innocent civilians!!" While a kevlar plate in a backpack certainly won't change the fact that criminal scum care nothing for the innocent lives they destroy, taking guns from law abiding citizens won't help.
1 Posted by eviled1953 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse
I do not think I will run right out and buy one of these for the fact that for a few dollars more I could buy a bulletproof vest. Then,if they are wearing it at the time it might help. This is realy playing on our fears as a parent and looks like another way of getting money out of us;;;;;;eviled