Purchases of guns for personal and home protection are skyrocketing across America. Many of these are purchases by first-time gun buyers who have only now seen the light, and the wisdom inherent in the 2nd Amendment. The current fad of defunding the police leaves your average, hard-working citizen with little recourse but to take security into his or her own hands.
Whether you’re going for an AR-15, a dependable pump shotgun like the Mossberg 590, or something like a Glock, protecting yourself takes more than just owning a gun. These are all outstanding choices, but the first thing you’re going to need to make your weapon any use at all is practice. Training doesn’t hurt either, but at least try to spend a few hours at the range every week or two.
Of course, there’s all the other equipment that goes along with a firearm, like a safe and a cleaning kit. Being a gun owner is a pretty big commitment. There is one piece of equipment, however, that a lot of new gun owners neglect to consider, much to their peril. I’m talking about body armor.
It’s all well and good to have the power of lethal force in your hands, but you’re unlikely to benefit from it if you have a gaping shotgun wound in your torso. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that the worst can happen, anytime, anyplace. But body armor isn’t just for law enforcement officers and preppers. We’re all for being prepared, but here are a few more reasons you might want to consider body armor with your purchase of a new gun.
You live in a dangerous or isolated area, Home intruders
It’s no surprise that a great exodus has begun from many American cities at a time when many police departments are getting defunded. If you have reason to stay in an inner-city, body armor can give you some peace of mind, even if your local PD is here to stay. Body armor comes in all shapes and sizes. There are many options out there that are hard to detect under your clothes and will protect you from handgun shots and stabbing attacks. They can even often pack down pretty small and light. Whatever your niche needs, I’m not aware of anyone with better service or a more comprehensive selection in concealable body armor than LA Police Gear and if you have reason to fear violent crime where you live, body armor is one of those things that is better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Taking money to the bank
If you have reason to handle relatively large sums of cash, even once in a while, body armor can help get you and your stash out of a sticky situation. Maybe you’re a small business owner taking your earnings to the bank. If you get held up and shot, body armor gives you an excellent chance to pull through. You will probably still suffer blunt-force trauma and should seek medical attention, but an aspirin or two, and you’ll be as right as rain in a couple days. Probably.
Receiving threats from an ex
No one is perfect, and we all make an enemy or two as we navigate our way through life. One of the most common types of violent crime is the crime of passion. Throw in a failed marriage, and we’re not only talking about hurt feelings but the division of possibly a substantial amount of shared wealth. At the end of the day, if your ex is armed and out for blood, a restraining order is really just a piece of paper. I’ll bet my life to kevlar over paper any day.
Safety first at the workplace
This is a pretty broard category. In contemporary America, a workplace with the hazard of gun crime could be anything from a bank to a post office to, tragically, a school. If you’re a private security guard or bail bondsman, this article isn’t telling you anything you don’t already know. However, even if you just work late somewhere shady or run delivery, body armor could quite literally be a lifesaver.
Provide to someone else
There are wolves and sheep in this world, but there are also shepherds, the kind of people who keep the sheep out of harm’s way, not a bad thing to be. Do you have people around you whom you could see needing a bit of extra protection now or in the foreseeable future? Why not have an extra set of body armor around, just in case? Thinking ahead like this can keep your loved ones safe and earn you the respect of others.
What you need to know about body armor
Body armor comes in three levels, as defined by the National Institute of Justice. These include
- Level IIA
- Level IIIA
- Level III
- Level IV
The first level is called Level IIA because the old level I no longer exists. Level IIA is the soft body armor that you’ll often see police officers wearing when they’re out on the beat. It’ll protect against most handgun rounds and often against stabbing attacks. Level IIIA is similar, it’s just a bit stouter, and bulkier to wear. Level III can protect you from some rifle rounds. It’s still soft, but it’s too bulky to wear all day long. With Level IV we’re talking body armor composed of strong, heavy AR500 steel plates. It’s for special military operations.
For the average civilian interested in body armor, level IIA or IIIA will be enough. Both options, but IIIA in particular, often offer the option to add steel plates to increase protection for those special circumstances.
You can get body armor that is easy to conceal and body armor that looks like regular clothing. All body armor should be comfortable and not restrict your movement. If you’re not shy about wearing it, the ‘tacti-cool’ options and features are endless.
Wrapping up
This is not an exhaustive list of the reasons the average civilian might want to consider getting some body armor. Consider your personal situation and the dangers you foresee yourself facing. Body armor doesn’t expire if it doesn’t get shot, and having it around could save your life.
