The opinion about these backpacks seemed to be somewhat divided. I said that I would consider one depending on reasonable expectations that my child might encounter school violence. In my area it is relatively low. One reader left a comment saying that I should reconsider my statement that shootings were rare due to a string of 5 shootings during a two-week period. I completely agree that those numbers are scary, but there are 23,000 high schools and 4,200 colleges in the United States, which puts 5 incidents at only 0.018% of total schools. I do consider this rare, but I think the potential threat for school violence is high in any school. In light of the 3rd graders who planned to attack a teacher, it is a disturbing trend.

Other readers commented that they thought parents were stupid for spending the money, which I somewhat disagree with. I’m sure any one of them would gladly spend that money if they thought there was the slightest chance that something would happen to their child. I’d take a bullet for my son without thinking, but if I had something that could do that for me when I’m not around, I would consider that a worthwhile investment. But again, what is a reasonable expectation?

So, if you own one of these bulletproof backpacks, either check out the reporter’s comment on the original post or leave a comment on this post and I will forward your contact information along. (Please just note in your comment that you would like your email address to forwarded along to the reporter.)

Post from: Blisstree

Anyone have a bulletproof backpack?

While I’m joking about the diapers, these guys are serious about the backpacks. The pair got the idea for the bags after the Columbine school shootings, and have the packs on the market just in time for back to school shopping. Does this product play upon heightened media fear mongering? Very much so, that’s what marketing does. It plants a seed of doubt in your mind and plays with your emotions. On the flip side, does it provide a valid function of protecting your children? Most definitely.

The question of whether or not these packs are something you buy for your child becomes a balance of reasonable expectation with expendable cash. Is $175 not a big deal to spend on a backpack for you? Then why not buy it. Is there a reasonable expectation that your child will be shot at school? Not likely. However Columbine and Virginia Tech were not plagued by violence previous to the atrocities that happened there. Any one of the parents of students at those schools, even if not victims, would have gladly paid $175 had they known in advance what their children would be subjected to.

This YouTube video demonstrates Glock 9mm ballistics tests and impressively, the round does not penetrate the backpack. Granted, your child’s ribs may be broken from the impact, but I’d trade any number of cracked ribs for the alternative.

In the process of writing this post I considered whether or not I would buy one. And yes, I would, but I tend to be hyper-protective of my loved ones, which is also the reason I’ve registered for the Graco MAV (medium armored vehicle) stroller.

Would you buy one for your kid?

Post from: Blisstree

Kevlar diapers and bulletproof backpacks