{"id":2825,"date":"2019-09-24T13:46:55","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T17:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timothydimoff.com\/?p=2825"},"modified":"2019-09-26T10:42:56","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T14:42:56","slug":"bulletproof-backpacks-are-not-the-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timothydimoff.com\/2019\/09\/24\/bulletproof-backpacks-are-not-the-answer\/","title":{"rendered":"Bulletproof Backpacks are NOT the Answer"},"content":{"rendered":"
When it comes to protecting our kids, most parents are up for just about anything nowadays. I know the thought of putting your child on the bus and never seeing them again because there was an active shooter in the building that day, is every American parents\u2019 nightmare. It\u2019s a sad state of mind parents, grandparents and guardians must face with violence in our schools occurring again and again, but we need to be on guard and not be suckered into expensive, ineffective solutions. One such \u201csolution\u201d being hyped in the media right now is bulletproof backpacks.<\/p>\n
I for one, say, don\u2019t bother:<\/p>\n
First and foremost, there is no such thing as a bulletproof backpack. Law enforcement doesn\u2019t even have access to \u201cbulletproof vests\u201d. Members of the FBI, SWAT and other officers of the law wear bullet-resistant protective wear made with Kevlar. This type of protective wear is effective when handguns or pistols are used. However, when it comes to resisting bullets from AK-variant semi-automatic rifles that were used during the most violent school shootings bullet-resistance is rendered useless.<\/p>\n
These backpacks are expensive. They can cost up to $250. That would be money well spent if they could protect our children from harm, but the potential to protect is just not there.<\/p>\n
For argument\u2019s sake, let\u2019s say that the school shooter is using a handgun. There might be a chance the bullet will be stopped, but only if the student is in a position<\/a> where the bullet hits the backpack. Unless the student has the presence of mind to turn around and squat, the backpack will provide no protection for the student from the front or side.<\/p>\n On the other hand, if the student stops to turn around and squat to protect most of their body, they literally become sitting ducks. I for one do not want to discourage students from running away from danger to rely on a backpack that most likely will not protect them from being shot.<\/p>\n Also, don\u2019t forget that most schools do not allow backpacks in the classroom. This poses the question; how can the bulletproof backpack protect the student when it is prohibited from being worn during the hours classes are in session? Unless the shooter attacks at the beginning or right at the end of school, the backpack won\u2019t even be an option for protection in most schools.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe Risk for Gun-Related Violence is Not at School<\/h2>\n