Michael Roebuck's Blog

I live behind a corn field in Illinois. My idea of a traffic jam is a school bus or a tractor and I like it that way. I also have 5 kids, two of which are currently in High School.

We all know about the Columbine High School Massacre. That was all the way in Colorado. Must have been a big city, right? In the year 2000, my nearest town (Ottawa, Illinois) had a population of 18,307. Columbine, Colorado has a population of 24,095. But that crazy shooting stuff doesn't happen around me. We are safe.

• I also live an hour away from Northern Illinois University and personally know 3 families that had kids directly affected by the shooting that ended with 21 people shot and 5 killed in February, 2008. My oldest starts College in 2 years.
• Remember the Virginia Tech Massacre in 2007 that killed 32 people? The deadliest peacetime shooting incident by a single gunman in United States history, on or off a school campus. Both my brother and sister went to Virginia Tech. (Fortunately, not at that time)
• I graduated Virginia Wesleyan College in 2004. In October, 2006 one of the security guards was killed by a knife-wielding attacker while making nighttime rounds on campus.

Still think I'm safe? My kids? Think you are safe? Your kids? What the heck is going on nowadays?

I predict you will either be on one side of the fence or another. Obviously these are extreme ends but one stating that we shouldn't glorify these deaths and create panic or the other side of arming your kids with bullet proof vests and possibly weapons of there own.

Being Web Designers, we do all kinds of work for all kinds of people. Imagine my surprise when I see information come across my desk about someone that sold bullet proof backpacks. Emotions ranged from interesting to rage. Interesting in the fact that it was a unique idea. Rage followed when I thought someone was trying to take advantage of today's violence in schools and instill fear in people.

After reviewing the website, BulletBlocker, I find the products were developed by a father who had 2 kids of his own. He saw a problem and reacted to it. He wasn't trying to capitalize on people's fear but provide some protection in a crazy time. I did pick up on the fact that these school killings are recent. Nothing bad happened when I went to school. Not to minimize Kent State or others but as far as I can remember, school shootings weren't really in the public eye. It just didn't happen. Now metal detectors and armed guards are commonplace.

As a Sociology major, I'd love to write about my thoughts pertaining to why these are crazy times, but let's focus on the BulletBlocker products. Regardless of what your personal beliefs are, this product is here and I'm willing to bet here to stay.

BulletBlocker products claim to be 100% Legal and state they are stylish Bulletproof Protection that you can afford. All BulletBlocker vests and backpacks are certified at NIJ Threat Level IIIA protection - the same quality of bullet proof protection that has saved over 3,000 police officer's lives.

My first question is, "What the heck is NIJ Threat Level IIIA protection and what does that mean to me?" After searching the web for a while, because I wanted my own opinion, not that of the vendor, I found:

• Level IIIA offers the highest protection (most handgun calibers)
• There's no such thing as a 'bullet-proof' vest. Any vest hit enough times, or by a high-velocity penetrating round, can fail. To help you determine how much stopping power you need against various weapons and bullets, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) developed its Threat Level Matrix. NIJ Certification tests are performed at approved independent labs like H.P.White Laboratories, Inc. in Maryland.
• ...Level IIIA body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available from concealable body armor and is generally suitable for routine wear in many situations. However, departments located in hot, humid climates may need to evaluate the use of Level IIIA armor carefully.

I'm not a gun person and I'm still not sure exactly what it means, but everyone seems to agree that NIJ Threat Level IIIA protection is the best.

Does it work? When in doubt, search YouTube. Someone, somewhere had to shoot one of these things:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9ghbckC5js



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeIjx8-Lp4I



OK. So they actually do stop bullets. What about the style? Am I now carrying a 50 pound rucksack in addition to my 50 pounds of books? NO! I bought the Blue Executive Bullet Proof Backpack. It weighs a little more than a regular backpack, but the website does state the protection panel adds about 20 ounces. Note the protection panel does not seem to be accessible and I presume it can not be removed. The backpack is great and has pockets for everything.
















I also bought the BulletProof Notebook. The original plan was to shoot at this one, but I feel enough people already did. I like the fact this notebook zips closed. It will most likely replace my current notebook that doesn't zip closed. I usually stuff it with client papers and don't always look the greatest at meetings. It also has many pockets and sleeves for notes, papers and pens. The 3-Ring binder capability is an added plus because it will allow me to add a few extra folders for even more client junk. It is not heavy and I believe the protective panel is behind the pad of paper and can be removed.







Both items arrived securely packaged and in good condition. They also came with a letter that I'm sure was written by the lawyers. It basically reads the items are sold "As Is" and the company is not liable for anything. The letter also includes a manufacture date and further states the items have a 5 year lifespan. I guess after 5 years, materials can break down and the bulletproof panels are not as good as when newer.

The only confusing part was the return policy. The website states two different policies:

• If at any time, within 10 days of receiving your order, you are not satisfied with the fit, style, quality or design of a product(s), return the item(s) to us in like-new condition and we will refund your purchase price 100% or exchange the item. It's your choice.
• Return Policy: Due to the nature of the products, under no circumstances will any returns be allowed, other than for defective manufacture.

BulletBlocker Warranty: BulletBlocker warranties all BulletBlocker products against defects in workmanship for 1 year from purchase date. and on and on....

In summary, the items were as advertised and seem to perform they way they were meant to perform. Would I buy all my kids one? I'm not sure. At $195 per backpack the price is very steep when you have 5 kids. Buying bulletproof inserts or bulletproof binders would be a cheaper alternative but the covered protection is less. When it comes to my kids, I'd rather them have more protection but you get what you can afford.

For smaller families, I would say a no brainer. Buy the backpack and hope it never has to be put to the test. Don't think that nothing can happen to you. The new school year is coming. Start saving now!

As for the backpack I bought. I will hand it down to my oldest son. He's currently taking the EMT class this summer at the local college and his current backpack has seen much better days. With only one more year of high school left, he can take it to college and hopefully never need to use it!


Please note this article is my own personal thoughts. I have not consulted with BulletBlocker nor there lawyers and I have written this solely because of BulletBlocker being such a unique product. I neither endorse this product nor not endorse it. However, if given the opportunity, I'll start selling them! How could you not? It's a great product for today's crazy times. Be sure you check out there website for more information, statistics and news stories: www.bulletblocker.com

Labels: backpack, bullet, bulletblocker, notebook, proof