Bulletproof Backpacks
Bulletproof backpacks have emerged as a sobering product in response to the tragic reality of school shootings.
Parents are seeking out these armored bags in hopes of protecting their children from the unthinkable—active shooter situations inside schools.
The backpacks are reinforced with a bulletproof material that can block bullets from most weapon violence in the US. Some even have a bulletproof shield that can be pulled out and used as a barrier.
While children going through their school day with defensive gear is disheartening, some parents feel it provides a layer of safety.
The backpacks often look discreet, styled like a typical child's backpack externally. Internally, they have the bullet-blocking panels in areas that would cover a child's vital organs.
Companies producing bulletproof backpacks say they have seen surging sales, especially after highly publicized school shootings. While these backpacks may mitigate injuries, critics argue the real focus should be on preventing school shootings altogether by reforming gun policies.
Still, the perceived need for bulletproof school bags highlights the persistent fears surrounding school safety and gun violence in America today. Parents simply want to send their kids to school feeling like they will come home protected.