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Bulletproof Clothes FAQs
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Body armor is what most people associate with law enforcement. Consequently, most people do not know about these sorts of things. But bulletproof jackets and vests are not just for military or police use; you could also use them yourself. So it would be better if you know more about bulletproof vests and body armor in general.

1. There is a difference between bulletproof and bullet-resistant - Even body armor is not immune to the effects of bullets, they are just really good at dissipating the force that is carried by the bullet. So it lessens the impact made by a bullet when it actually hits your body.
2. Body armor is often made of specialized fabric like Kevlar - The material that most body armor is made out of is actually really tough fabric. This kind of fabric is tightly woven. You could think about it like a net stopping a tennis ball. It absorbs most of the force to stop the projectile.
3. They have a lifespan - Most bulletproof vests actually have an effective lifespan. Usually, a vest will have a lifespan of about five years, and after that time it is not that effective at stopping bullets anymore. Everyday wear and tear of the bulletproof vest could also decrease its effectiveness. They are not all water-proof - Specifically, bulletproof vests should never get wet if you want them to stay effective at stopping a bullet. This is because the water that can get caught in the fibers of the vest can actually act as some kind of lubricant easing the way for the bullet.
4. Bulletproof is not always knife-proof - Most kevlar bulletproof vests are not that great against protection against stabbing. This is because bulletproof vests are designed to stop a projectile, not an edged weapon. Though there are certain kinds of body armor, such as those with armor plates that can provide adequate protection against a knife. Specialized clothes designed to stop both knife cuts and bullets are available so check the ratings.
5. They will wear out and will need to be replaced - If a bulletproof vest has already been pierced at any point by a bullet, then it needs to be replaced. This is because damage to any part of the armor can affect the overall integrity of the armor.
6. Women need a different set of body armor - The kind of body armor that any person needs has got to contour exactly to their body shape and size. This means that women, will not get adequate protection from body armor that is meant for men. They need to have body armor that is specifically fitted to their shape.
7. They can protect against accidents too - Did you know that a bulletproof vest can also keep you safe in the event of a vehicular accident? These vests can absorb some of the force from an impact from the vehicle. Thus, it can actually protect you against more injuries from a car accident.
8. They are made of two components - Most body armor is actually two different parts that need to be worn together. The carrier is the vest that is worn on the body, this is made out of nylon or cloth. And the actually bulletproof material is slid into the vest to provide the protection against bullets.
9. Some need to be ironed - Since bulletproof vests are made out of fibers, it can actually get bent out of shape. So you may want to hang it up instead of laying it down, so as to avoid needing to iron the vest all of the time.

Why wear bulletproof clothes
So you may be wondering, why should you even bother with wearing personal body armor anyway? Shouldn't these sorts of body armor be reserved for use by law enforcement and those in the military? Well, there are actually a number of reasons why you should wear body armor, with statistics that support them.

Rise in gun homicide - The US is the country with the most gun-related homicides. There are about 4 to 5 gun-related deaths per 100,000 deaths in the US that is dozens of times higher than other industrialized nations. And since 1968, more people have died due to gun violence within the US, compared to the number of US citizens that have died in wars fought by the US outside the country. And that number is set to climb even higher!

Increase in mass shootings - The number of people that have died from mass shootings in the US was around 475 in 2015. And there have been about 372 mass shootings around the country in that same year. Recently, the largest number of deaths from mass shootings has just happened in Las Vegas this year. With the number of mass shootings going out of control, it may be wise to wear some form of protection such as a bulletproof vest.

Overall protection - The overall protection that you can get from wearing a bulletproof vest is just going to make it more than worth it. You can even have some extra peace of mind whenever you are out in some dangerous area and you are wearing a vest underneath your clothing.

Now that you know why it could be better to wear bulletproof vests or some type of body armor, you probably want to buy a set for yourself. But before you go and go a vest or jacket, here are a few questions to ask yourself. They should help you find the right kind of body armor for your personal use.

3 questions to ask before buying a bulletproof clothes

What is the NIJ rating?

The NIJ rating refers to the level of protection that a piece of body armor can provide you with. Certain levels of NIJ rated bulletproof vests can stop certain kinds of bullets and weapons. A bulletproof vest with an II-A rating can stop bullets from a 9mm or .22mm gun. If you need more protection, then you also need to get a bulletproof vest with a higher NIJ rating.

Does it fit well?

The fit and comfort of your bulletproof vest should be perfect. If it does not fit well, then it is also not going to be as effective in stopping a bullet. Plus, you would not also find it easy to wear for any long-term period of time, if it does not have a good fit.

What material is it made out of?

You have got to make sure that the bulletproof vest that you are wearing is comprised out of the best ballistic material. Try to check the Kevlar fibers of the vest to ensure that it uses the latest technology to stop a bullet.