Posted on 06/09/2014 8:52:18 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
An Oklahoma company has designed a bullet-resistant blanket that’s designed to protect children and teachers in the event of a school shooting.
The Bodyguard Blanket, made by ProTecht, is a bulletproof 5/16-inch pad that the company says is made from the same materials used by the U.S. military.
Steve Walker, a podiatrist who conceptualized the blanket, told The Oklahoman that the idea came to him after two tragedies: the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the tornadoes in Oklahoma. He said the idea was to “stop that blunt-force trauma when that rubble is falling down on a child.”
The company estimates that the blanket can provide protection against 90% of all weapons that have been used in school shootings in the U.S.
The blanket has straps that can be fastened around users like a backpack. The lightweight pad is made of a high-density plastic used for ballistic armor. The material can also protect users from nails, shards of metal and other sharp objects.
After testing the blanket at a shooting range, the makers said it provided protection against bullets from a 12-gauge buckshot, a .22-caliber and a 9 mm, among others.
The $1,000 blankets are a cheaper alternative to tornado shelters, but its makers say they are better for school shootings.
In an interview with The Oklahoman, ProTecht’s managing partner Stan Schone said that a safe room is not effective when someone suddenly enters the school and starts shooting because children would be required to run down the hall to get to the room.
He said that the blankets can be stored in the classrooms and children “can lock the door and put these on in a matter of seconds.”
The company says it is encouraging administrators to make the Bodyguard Blanket an integral part of school and university lockdown protocol.
While talking about the frequency of school shootings in the U.S., including the June 5 shooting at Seattle Pacific University, Schone hinted at the tragic need for such a product.
“It’s just sad that we’ve come to this in society, but that’s where we are,” he said.
There were 13 school shootings in the U.S. recorded in the first six weeks of 2014.
A study in January found that 28 people have been killed in 44 school shootings since the Newtown tragedy.
“This thing gives kids an option, an alternative that will give them an opportunity to survive,” Schone said.
the latest in non-defense technology, tailored specifically to make dangerously defenseless people feel safe enough to get hurt.
How much do you want to bet the blankets will be kept locked up, so that when they’re needed no one can get to them?
Whatever you do, don’t throw the book at monsters who shoot school kids.
How long did it take the shooter a SH to kill all of those kids?
And how long would it take after the first shot to get 25 six-year-olds strapped into these?
That’s it — have the kids take a nap when there is a shooting.
Nap in place.
Do these blankets come with pillows???
Big deal.
They aren’t the only manufacturer of this product
little bullet-resistant burritos.
just don’t ever teach them to fight back, or know how to safely handle a weapon or use it in ‘personal defense.
Ping
I heard of one shooting where the shooter calmly went from desk to desk as the students were cowering behind them. Is a blanket going to help in that case? Probably not.
I see this as an interesting product. Their need to market to schools might be questioned. I agree that an armed society is a polite society.
My interest is that if these had a silver Mylar backing they would be Very useful in the field. To provide some protection from night vision optics as well as obviate the need for foxholes against small arms would really peak my interest. If the price was less than $200, I’d buy a stack of them.
And make sure they cover their feet in the process!
A 5/16 in. pad? Wow the impact won’t be lessened by much, sure it may prevent gunshot wounds but the potential for death and injuries will still exist.
Might want to reconsider that. Protection from bullets and high speed smaller projectiles is a good thing, but a blanket will only spare you the sight of rubble falling down on you. It's not a magic forcefield.
Ok, but what about tornadoes?
There was an American car company that touted the safety of their cars back in the late forties, they’d designed a little reinforced cubby in the footwell under the dash that you were supposed to dive into, when you realized that a crash was about to happen.
Next comes helmets. Every kid will need to wear a helmet in the indoctrination center.
After batting ideas back and forth some smart arse said
" Just put books in the bag -- it will be the same as putting armor on it."
“Just hide under the blanky and close your eyes and cover your ears and the bad man with the evil gun will go away!”
What freakin’ planet are these people from?
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