Not all communities these days can be safe to go around unprotected. With each state having different provisions for gun laws, tensions escalating from protests and rallies, cases of civil unrest, gang wars and other violent crimes, there is a rising need for reliable body armor or bulletproof vest not just among law enforcement and peacekeeping personnel, but among civilians as well. When it comes to choosing a reliable and appropriate bulletproof vest for you, there are several considerations to keep in mind before you make that life-saving investment. Read further as we share some points in guiding you toward a well-deserved purchase.
Select the Appropriate Type of Vest
The kind of vest that you will be wearing should be able to effectively handle the situation in your area. Basically, there are 2 general types of bulletproof vests – overt and covert. The latter one is recommended for undercover law enforcement and civilian use, while the former is recommended for active-duty police and military use.
Covert Body Armor/Vest
Covert bulletproof armors and vests are worn under your clothes while the overt type is worn over the clothes. As pointed out earlier, incidences of protests, civil unrest, riots, and looting are on the rise. A key example is the recent breakout of riots in New York, Minnesota, and California. This prompted an increased need among residents in those areas to buy bulletproof vests to protect themselves. The covert type vest is thinner and more lightweight than the overt type to provide the wearer better mobility. When it comes to the protection level, it would depend on the thickness and material used in the vest. Categorically, covert vests have light bullet protection, which can be resistant against revolvers, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 9mm handguns. These handguns are commonly used during riots, robberies, and gang wars. Civilians do not need to wear visible vests as it can give the wrong impression to the people around them, friend or foe.
Overt Body Armor/Vest
Active-duty police officers, S.W.A.T. team members, and military forces use the overt type armor for a higher level of protection due to the risk of engaging dangerous individuals that use high-powered firearms. Thin and covert armors cannot provide reliable protection against high-velocity projectiles from .44 Magnum and .357 SIG or the rapid-fire 9mm submachine guns and assault rifles, which is why the overt type of vests are heavier, thicker and bulkier. They have attached compartments that can be used to store ammunition, which is useful for situations that prompt the user to use firearms.
Consider the Weight of the Armor/Vest
The thickness of a vest oftentimes corresponds to the level of protection it provides the wearer. As discussed earlier, covert vests can have varying levels of protection against different types of handguns depending on how thin or thick they are. You also have to assess the threat level in your environment. If you live in a neighborhood that has frequent gang wars involving shooting incidents, you can go for a multi-threat protection armor that can also protect you from stabs and bullets. These armors are not as thick and bulky as overt types but can provide reliable protection for you. These vests or armors can be around 3 to 5 mm thick, but the materials, such as Kevlar and polyethylene fibers are sufficient to hold out against handgun bullets.
Consider the Thickness and Material of the Vest
The thickness of a vest oftentimes corresponds to the level of protection it provides the wearer. As discussed earlier, covert vests can have varying levels of protection against different types of handguns depending on how thin or thick they are. You also have to assess the threat level in your environment. If you live in a neighborhood that has frequent gang wars involving shooting incidents, you can go for a multi-threat protection armor that can also protect you from stabs and bullets. These armors are not as thick and bulky as overt types, but can provide reliable protection for you. These vests or armors can be around 3 to 5 mm thick, but the materials, such as kevlar and polyethylene fibers are sufficient to hold out against handgun bullets.
Comfort is Also Important
Just because a bulletproof vest is worn for protection, it doesn’t mean that you can leave out your comfort when wearing it. Having the right fit and breathability can let you move comfortably even if you wear the vest for a long time. Factoring the weight of the vest, it can also contribute to your comfort if your body can easily get used to the added extra weight if it’s just light.
Consider the Cost
The cost of the armor and the budget that you have can be the deciding factors in your selection and purchase of a bulletproof vest. Be sure to go through all the specifications of the armor, the intended use of it, and the average service life of the vest. It can be a subjective factor, but you also have to consider that personal safety and security is actually a good investment.
A bulletproof vest can be your trusty armor against the threats to your life and safety. There is always the possibility of you being involved in a life-and-death situation in this dangerous world. Investing in your safety is a wise move because your life is priceless and you’re ensuring yourself of arriving home safe and sound to your family and loved ones.
Why is this post on this site?!? Very inappropriate!
Oh, for F***s sake…….
Defunding police might create some surplus tactical gear sales.
Go ahead and defund the police see what happens. I know you will come out of your mother’s basement to protect the neighborhood. Perhaps the DPW can protect us with their shovels.
Some of the police officers in Ridgewood are, shall we say, “opportunists”.
Case in point: my sister was driving in the Central Business District. The car was idling (2-3 mph) as she approached the crosswalk on East Ridgewood Ave. and Oak Street. A pedestrian was on the sidewalk on the other side of the road (~15 feet away) and saw her car approach. They made eye contact and HE MOTIONED HER TO PROCEED THROUGH THE CROSSWALK. The cop was right there and immediately pulled her over. The dialogue:
Sister: did I do something wrong officer? (knowing that speeding wasn’t the issue since the speed was idle (2-3mph)
Cop: you failed to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk
Sister: the pedestrian motioned me to go ahead, so I did (she’s well aware that motorists must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk)
Cop: he doesn’t have the right to motion you ahead… you MUST stop regardless
WAIT? WHAT?
What if she and the pedestrian had the following conversation?
Pedestrian: you go ahead
Sister: no, you go ahead
Pedestrian: no, you go ahead
Sister: no, you go ahead
Pedestrian: no, really, you go ahead
The outcome: a $300 ticket.
Lawyer who represented my sister against this overreach: “I get several calls each WEEK about this same ticket. It’s a real money maker for the Village.”
If Ridgewood is making all this money on bullsh$t tickets like this, then YES, let’s defund the police. The police should have PLENTY of money based on these aggressive tactics!
Did your sister plead not guilty? Did she go to court? Did Lawyer who represented your sister against this overreach got to court with her? What was the outcome? Well I guess there is no whay of knowing if you tell the truth or making this story up.
“I get several calls each WEEK about this same ticket. It’s a real money maker for the Village.” We all know that Sharks, oh sorry Lawyers make plenty of money off of these cases.
It’s a vicious circle. We are overpoliced, so they have to issue ridiculous overarching tickets just to justify the excessive size of our police force. Insanity!
“What if she and the pedestrian had the following conversation?” What if. What if. What if. What if.
What if. Get a life.
Classic cop and PBA union thug above insulting the DPW and “their shovels”. People like you are the reason police forces have lost respect and no longer have the moral authority to serve the communities that hire them. Hand in your badge. You’re part of them problem, and won’t be part of the solution. Buh-bye!
Also consider this.
2009 New Jersey Code
TITLE 2C – THE NEW JERSEY CODE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
2c:39
2C:39-13 – Unlawful use of body vests
2C:39-13. Unlawful use of body vests 1.Unlawful use of body vests. A person is guilty of a crime if he uses or wears a body vest while engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, kidnaping, criminal escape or assault under N.J.S.2C:12-1b. Use or wearing a body vest while engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit a crime of the first degree is a crime of the second degree. Otherwise it is a crime of the third degree.
As used in this section, “body vest” means bullet-resistant body armor which is intended to provide ballistic and trauma protection.
Typical cop hating liberal who doesn’t have a clue. If you think you can do better put the gun and badge on and go at it or is it beneath you?
“insulting the DPW and “their shovels”. I guess the truth hurts.
Don’t think this is inappropriate at all. We shouldn’t be so naive in Light of current events…
“Protests” are spilling over into the suburbs in Minneapolis and Chicago. That could happen here. Say you and your family want to get out of town up to your lake house at cozy lake George for example. Father has to stop for gas and run in to the station to get the kids some food quick before you leave the area. I’d want to ensure my life isn’t wasted with a wound to the chest cavity. Police were giving two hour ETAs in New York just days ago. You can’t survive 10 minutes with a wound like that, let alone two hours. Armored plate carriers make sense. They’re an inherently defensive piece, anyway. Or for home defense. You can slip them on very quickly. You’d bleed out with a wound to your lungs or hearts before the ambulance will leave the station. These vests prevent that. They’re designed to take the worst of the worst shots so you don’t bleed out needlessly.
I can tell many here have combat experience and have kept themselves in the know how about the most basic military tactical thought….
I reccomened Farro Concepts plate carriers, especially the slickster. Can be hidden easily under a sweat shirt even. Combine this with any ceramic level 4 plate and you’re good2go for rounds up to .308 even. Buddy’s AR rounds will get eaten up by level 4 plates, no sweat.
Anyways, keep safe everyone. God bless you all, especially to those calling the idea of a defensive piece of armor in the day and age of mass shootings, world wide pandemics, and unchecked anarchy from riots resulting in 15+ murders and many cop assassinations ‘innapropriate’. One may call James here inappropriate for NOT offering his community a guide on how to remain safe DEFENSIVELY.
Peace.
Temper, temper. You ingrate . You will probably have to look up INGRATE base on you use of the fuck word and lets not forget douchebags. Get you shovel ready. This is the kind of person that going to protect you and your family.
It would be greatly appreciated if this blog rejected comments containing profane language.
To “Bruce” and others whose tender sensibilities have been offended by the fact that this post is here, and for others who may be unaware of the following text – it behooves you to become familiar with the next paragraph, as well as the rest of the document of which the following paragraph is a part.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
You may find this text and the rest of the document of which it is a part, as well as interpretative explanations of the entire document, by searching the internet for “Constitution of the United States”.
Some citizens still take this document to heart as the basis upon which to guide our lives, despite the great disregard in which it is held today.
And you’re welcome!
Clearly there are police and retirees in our Village who need to step aside. It should be clear what the demands of young black people are: an end to racism, police abuse, and violence; and the right to be free of the economic coercion of poverty and inequality. Suggest you read “How Do We Change America?“ in the New Yorker. That is, if you can focus on something longer than the gnat you’re seem to be…
As Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor Writes, “…more importantly, the quest to transform this country cannot be limited to challenging its brutal police alone. It must conquer the logic that finances police and jails at the expense of public schools and hospitals. Police should not be armed with expensive artillery intended to maim and murder civilians while nurses tie garbage sacks around their bodies and reuse masks in a futile effort to keep the coronavirus at bay.”
She goes on to say., “The unfolding revolt in the U.S. today holds the real promise to change this country. While it reflects the history and failures of past endeavors to confront racism and police brutality, these protests cannot be reduced to them.”
then stop voting Democrat
So simplistic James, please use your brain and explain what you mean
“Did your sister plead not guilty? Did she go to court? Did Lawyer who represented your sister against this overreach got to court with her? What was the outcome? Well I guess there is no whay of knowing if you tell the truth or making this story up.”
No, she did not go to court. She paid the lawyer $200 to go to court on her behalf and plead down to a non-moving violation that cost about $80 (with no points).
In the end, she still paid about $300 – just not all of it to Ridgewood.
The point is that the cop could have (and probably should have) said:
“I know that you made eye contact with the pedestrian and were considerate of the fact that he has right of way in the cross walk. In this case, he motioned you to go ahead. If he didn’t motion you to go ahead and you impeded his progress, then I could write you a ticket”.
It wasn’t as though the pedestrian was waiting to cross and she flew through the cross walk without stopping and thereby risking his safety.
The cop chose to ignore the mitigating circumstances and go for the money grab. The judge thought otherwise and allowed the plea to the lower offense.
Gun ownership has EXPLODED this year. NRA huge increase, complete turn around.
Chicago, Minneapolis and NYC are starting to eat their own alive. I feel bad for those who cant flee, we cant take in everyone. Stay safe
For those who never got a permit, sorry you are too late. No stock left, no ammo. Gone all gone
I’ll explain.
Democrats always ruin everything.
AT BEST (thought not usually) their intentions might be good, but ALWAYS their results are detrimental, expensive, restrictive and make matters worse.
You mean this isn’t the most divisive, f$&@ed up narcissistic kleptocracy ever in the history of the country since the Civil War?
The institutions (property market, educational system, legal system, police forces) and economy have long been rigged in favor of the elites. If you don’t want to be a part of the solution then turn in your badges and get out of the way. See y’all!
stop voting for democrats
James, you’re just plain wrong. Since Reagan, Democrats have controlled the White House for 16 years vs. Republicans 24 years. Since Reagan, the GOP has controlled the Senate for 22 years vs. the Democrats 18 years. Over that time, the House has been evenly split at 20 years of control each.
You’ll notice many police forces have acquired surplus military gear from the DOD…. why the police force in my little town needs SWAT teams with MRAPs and tactical gear and weapons intended to kill people when our schools & hospitals are seeing their public funding cut is a mystery. These are well armed paramilitaries in our midst, and we’re over policed by people with excessive wages, defined benefit pensions and healthcare!
We’ve all got our stories about getting ticketed when we were not guilty, or at least when we think we were not guilty. The sad reality of the system is that if you go to court, the Police officer will ALWAYS be given the benefit of the doubt, and unless you really have a great case, you will lose. More often than not the prosecution won’t have any evidence (just the Officer’s coached testimony), and the Prosecutor will be able to suppress whatever you have. Show up with a lawyer and you might do better, but probably not.
That’s reality. It doesn’t matter what color you are, whether you are rich or poor, right or wrong, you are just a revenue source.
That’s Municipal court. But there is a lot more to the Police…They are the reason we have the freedom we do to day. Disbanding or Defunding or whatever crazyness is being spouted by the left will (as always) just make the system worse.
I have two suggestions:
1) Make Body and Dashboard cameras mandatory for all Law Enforcement interactions. Make it impossible for Law Enforcement to charge anyone with anything without providing the recording. Make it a Felony for an Officer to have contact with the public without their cameras on.
2) Get rid of Police Unions. All we are hearing from now are Union representatives. Why is that? The only function of a Police Union (and most other Unions) is to make Police more expensive and less accountable. Why are they still here?
Get rid of “qualified immunity” while you’re at with the backwards unions. If cops don’t like it they’re free to hand in their badges.
“1) Make Body and Dashboard cameras mandatory for all Law Enforcement interactions. Make it impossible for Law Enforcement to charge anyone with anything without providing the recording. Make it a Felony for an Officer to have contact with the public without their cameras on.”
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can we please get this passed into law?!?