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!
Comments on Protect Your Kid With a Bulletproof Backpack
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2 Posted by techiedivas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:59PM EDT Report Abuse
This is awesome! I want one.
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3 Posted by nicci90630_91 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse
The sad thing is that there seems to be an actual need for something like this. It's terrifying sending kids off to public schools.
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4 Posted by cow_being on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse
This might be useful for kids going to school in high-risk areas. Also, I found a typo: "As a side note, be aware that it is illegal in the U.S. to own body armor if you are convicted, violent felon."
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5 Posted by stobs5@rogers.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse
Times have changed this is an excellent idea!
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6 Posted by girlguidesoxford@rogers.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse
The need to protect is strong but the best protection we can give is to be part of the solution. So take it upon yourself to be aware of what is happening around you, be responsible make the call to the authorities when there is trouble, watch out for your neighbour. The most important is be a part of the community in which you live. Don't hide indoors it gives the impression that you do not care about the people around you.
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7 Posted by johnlopes@rogers.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse
This will only stop a projectile if it hits the pack dead on. A projectile can and will graze the sides of the pack and still lodge itself into the side of you kids. You still have alot of vital organs on the outer edge of your bodies !!! Do not buy this, it provides a false sense of security for your loved ones. Teach your children to be street smart and get out of the line of fire if they can. I can see a kid feeling more brave and using this thing as a shield as they try to stop an assault in progress, remenber, your head and vital organs are still exposed. THIS IS ABOUT AS EFFECTIVE AS SELLING PARACHUTES TO PEOPLE WHO WORK IN OFFICE BUILDINGS (as such was the case after 9/11)
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8 Posted by mhinds@rogers.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse
Good idea, but the truth is that most people can't afford to buy a $175 backpack for their kids.
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9 Posted by eaglep2e on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse
Here's an idea...how about if we teach our kids to stop bullying and picking on weaker kids, and to respect each other. Maybe the lonely losers in school would be less inclined to shoot the place up if they weren't tortured every day by priveleged arsehole kids.
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10 Posted by borderhopper3689@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse
i think it's a great idea, and while i dont know if i would buy one, you certainly cant believe that "nothing" will ever happen to your baby. i'm sure the parents at columbine felt the same way, and look what happened there.
1 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
They had live fire demo videos showing the effectiveness of these backbacks - including using an Uzi at close range on it - barely a scratch to these backpacks! If you have kids, this is the "it" thing to have this year for certain!