Body armor choices could have significant repercussions. We are discussing a device that can shield you or a loved one from serious physical injury. You owe it to yourself or the recipient to understand what you are purchasing and receive what you are paying for because it is also a substantial financial investment.
Let us first go through the fundamentals of body armor before working hard to dispel 10 of the most widespread misconceptions about it.
How Does Body Armor Function?
Body armor’s purpose is to distribute that energy and deform the round, minimizing the blunt force of the hit and preventing the round from penetrating any farther. It is composed of plates made of woven fiber, metal, or ceramic. There is also composite and hybrid armor, which blurs the border between hard and soft armor.
The force of the impact is distributed over the plate when a round strikes it, preventing a concentrated area from receiving all of the force. Consider the difference between stepping on a single nail and a bed of them. Although the single nail is just as sharp, it is less likely to pierce you because your weight is spread out over multiple nails. Additionally, the armor bends the bullet into a mushroom shape, decreasing its likelihood of penetrating farther.
‘Bullet-proof vest,’ as torso body armor is frequently referred to, is another term. In addition to these items, body armor may also incorporate helmets, and groin and throat guards.
Is Wearing Or Owning Body Armor Legal?
In all 50 States, it is unlawful for those who have been convicted of a violent offense to possess, buy, or own body armor. Wearing body armor while on a school’s property is prohibited in some areas, and doing so while committing a crime is also unlawful in some places.
Let us dissect some of the things body armor is not now that we have a better understanding of what it is. Here are the most widespread misconceptions about body armor and what you should know in their place.
1. Body armor may only be purchased by law enforcement and military personnel.
Who is eligible to possess and use body armor? With only a few limitations, yes. Body armor is not only worn by law enforcement and military forces. As previously indicated, however, it is illegal for those who have been found guilty of a violent crime to buy, own, or wear body armor, and several jurisdictions forbid wearing body armor on school premises.
2. Bulletproof body armor
How effective are bulletproof vests? If not, they ought to go by a different name, right? They are more appropriately described as bullet-resistant.
The fact is that bullets can still pass through body armor, even while high-quality body armor can significantly lower your risk of dying or suffering serious injuries from a bullet strike. The size of the bullet, the angle of attack, the age of the armor, and the distance between the shooter and the armored target are only a few of the variables that affect a round’s ability to penetrate body armor.
3. Stab-Proof Body Armor
Can a bullet-proof vest deter a knife attack? You would assume so, would not you? After all, a knife attack lacks the impact of a fired bullet. However, deforming the bullet to distribute its energy is an important aspect of the work done by a fiber bullet-proof vest. A fiber vest will not stop a powerful blade blow because this does not happen with a knife or sword.
4. Body Armor shields you from pain.
Is it painful to be shot while wearing a bullet-proof vest? “Yes,” is the quick answer. The plate spreads the impact force, theoretically preventing the bullet from passing through the vest and into the wearer’s body, however, we are talking about a lot of impact force. Consider being kicked by an elephant.