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BulletProof Packpack: Does It Really Work?

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:42 am
by HURAKAN
BulletProof Packpack: Does It Really Work?
http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_299105440.html
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(CBS4) WEST PALM BEACH School shootings are a real fear this day and age and now a Massachusetts company has invented what they call a bulletproof backpack in order to keep kids safe.

The company advertisements claim the backpack will stop a nine millimeter and that it’ll stop about 90 percent of the weapons that have been used in school shootings.

But does it really work?

A West Palm Beach radio station purchased one of the backpacks and decided to put it to the test. They took the backpack to a gun range, strapped it to a stand and enlisted experienced gunman John Patrick to fire the shots.

Standing about 15 feet away, Patrick first fired a nine-millimeter handgun, then a 45-millimeter and finally a 38-millimeter was fired at the backpack.

After the backpack was checked for holes on the outside and penetration on the inside, it was determined that the backpack held up very well and did better than expected.

"I thought it held up exceptionally well and it didn't penetrate it, just bulged the backside and I was very impressed with it,” said gunman John Patrick.

Radio station producer Tim Burger agreed. “The 45 was a little bit of an extreme. I personally didn't think it was going to stop it and it ended up holding its own."

John said it appears that injuries to the person wearing this backpack would be minimal.

The backpacks sell for about $175.00. They were created by two fathers inspired by the Columbine school massacre.

LC

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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How bad are our schools when people are thinking of creating bulletproof backpacks? It's just something inconceivable, in my opinion, having to send your kid to school with a bulletproof backpack. The solution is to improve the security in our schools, not send our kids with bulletproof backpacks.

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:13 pm
by gtalum
How bad are our schools when people are thinking of creating bulletproof backpacks? It's just something inconceivable, in my opinion, having to send your kid to school with a bulletproof backpack. The solution is to improve the security in our schools, not send our kids with bulletproof backpacks.


The sensationalism of school shootings is truly amazing. The number of shootings has declined for the past 15 years or more even as the number of students increases, and people still think they are "on the rise" because the media sensationalizes them so much.

In other words, it's not as big of a problem as it's made out to be.

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:17 am
by O Town
Very interesting, and unpractical as well. Most working families could not afford to outfit all of their kids with these. And are they really necessary? I don't think so.
Heck my 4th graders back packs already weigh about 20lbs. I can't imagine adding anymore weight to them, they are probably pretty heavy. This is definitely not the answer to violence at school.

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:42 am
by TexasStooge
No matter how much protection you put on yourself, shooters will always find a penetrable spot on you.