If you Conceal and Carry, Do You Also Wear Body Armor?

[George P]

Sorry, if you believe you NEED body armor, there are two possibilities - you live in a dangerous area, or you have a paranoia issue..........sorry dude, no different than the guys who wear a gun in the shower, or who need 3 guns. 3 reloads for each, a knife etc. to go check the mail box................I REFUSE to be a victim of crime AND paranoia

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

The Carhartt type jacket from the second link looks nice for cold months.

The price doesn't look good in any month.

8lbs is also pretty heavy for any single garment.


I think eventually this kind of stuff will become more comfortable and affordable, technology being what it is.

As of right now it's still pretty unrealistic in every aspect.

 

[Old Dog]

Eh, I hate wearing body armor ... wear it 8 and a half to 16 hours a day at least five days a week. Wore heavy body armor in the military for quite a few deployments. Out in town, not at work, I'll take my chances ... although there's a couple commercial ranges I frequent for recreational shooting where I will wear a vest.

 

[fastbolt]

One great advantage to wearing a LIIA armor vest .. is that it blocks the wind when riding a motorcycle in cold weather.

I usually have a vest in the trunk of my sedan, but that was a leftover habit from remembering to have it with me when I was working the range as an instructor. It became handy just to leave it in the car between those days/nights when I decided to work the range.

Sure, I could always get it out of the trunk to put on if I found myself stuck in the area of an active shooter incident, presuming the active shooter was using a handgun or shotgun, and not a rifle. The chances of that happening are pretty slim, though, especially considering my normal activities now that I'm retired.

 

[bikerdoc]

Nope, don't own any.
The Army made me wear one, the P D made me wear one, NOPE I'm done.
If that is you'd choice, God Bless, just not for me.

 

[lemaymiami]

I wore body armor daily for darned nearly 22 years (including off duty jobs...). My first armor was Second Chance back when it was the only maker around (and I had to pay for my first vest..). When I retired out of police work I was allowed to keep my last armor since it couldn't be re-issued to anyone... Once my agency began issuing armor as standard gear we all wore level IIIA and guys like me added the metal shock plate at center of mass... Mine is still hanging in my closet somewhere -all these years later.

Anyone that wants to speculate about wearing armor has never had to wear it in all weather conditions whether you wanted to or not...
The only way I would ever wear any of it again would be in the event of dire necessity - and I'd much rather figure out a way to live that didn't include the stuff... Yes, it can save your life... but I personally knew more than one officer that died wearing armor. They were killed by bullets that didn't hit the protected areas and were absolutely deadly where they did penetrate. Armor is no great panacea - it's employment simply gives you a better chance of surviving a sudden assault until you can return fire.... but living with hot, stinky , itchy body armor isn't any fun at all... particularly down here in south Florida...

 

[AABEN]

The DMC Chicago they only look out for there self!!!!

I wore body armor for years in the mil and as a contractor- not the type police normally wear, military body armor capable of stopping 7.62 NATO, with a whole bunch more heavy stuff attached. Since all that foolishness is behind me, i don't intend to wear it again unless I am planning on getting shot at. In which case, I'll change my plans to prevent it. But I do still have 2 sets of paraclete BA and a set of 2nd chance concealable squirreled away for unforseen situations. Its awful strange to me that a city in the US would make body armor illegal for civilians- especially a place like the big windy, where the odds of it saving your life are higher than most places. The same people who want to make all guns illegal due to innocents being shot probably came up with that law. Makes as much sense to me as making a motorcycle helmet illegal.

 

[coloradokevin]

There have been many innovations in body armor in the last ten years and even more with the introduction of "liquid armor" recently.

The city of Chicago has made the ownership of body armor illegal for all but a few.

So, the question is, how do you feel about the new concealable body armor, and do you own and wear it?

For those that are not aware, there are manufacturers of suits, sport coats, and top coats built to withstand most handgun bullets without anyone even realizing the protection is part of the garment. You can also buy hoodies, and work jackets done the same way.

I own at least 4 individual pieces of body armor (three Level IIIA concealable vests and one Level IV hard armor), and these are all vests that are current or former pieces I wore for LE work. I am not opposed to civilian ownership of body armor, but I can't fathom why anyone would want to wear this stuff to go about their day-to-day activities. It's not the most comfortable kind of garment in the world, and the "advancements" haven't been that impressive to me... my 15 year old vest is just as uncomfortable as the vest I got last year.

I wear body armor for duty use, but short of warfare breaking out within the United States, I can't see why I'd be wearing a vest during my personal time. I carry a gun off-duty, but there's a point where preparedness becomes paranoia in my mind. For example, if you're going to wear a vest in day to day life, why not also wear a helmet, or a groin protector, or carry a rifle at all times since it is better in a fight?

For me, body armor is for when I'm working. Those are the times when I'm actively pursuing people who have and may shoot at me in the future. Again, I have no opposition to anyone owning it, but if you haven't worn it 40+ hours per week in the past, you may quickly realize why those of us who have sure don't want to!

 

[herrwalther]

Every now and then I consider getting a concealable vest for my out and abouts. Between wearing a stab vest at work and the cost of a decent level III vest, I usually just bookmark and forget about the idea for awhile.

 

[toivo]

The same people who want to make all guns illegal due to innocents being shot probably came up with that law. Makes as much sense to me as making a motorcycle helmet illegal.

Exactly. The motivation behind that law is the same motivation that is behind all gun control laws: "Criminals can misuse it, and therefore you can't have it, even if it might save your life." I call them "take one for the team" laws.

 

[lemaymiami]

thumbs up for coloradokevin who said it better than I did...

ps... I chose not to carry when I retired out from police work more than 22 years ago - and if that was a mistake I'll be the first to learn about it... I have no problem with anyone that wants to carry doing so lawfully - it's just not right for me. You haven't been there, seeing newspaper headlines accusing you of murder as a cop on the street.... In my case it left a lasting impression even though it was almost forty years ago... I do keep a sidearm nearby - just not on my person - not ever, not even once since I retired...

I received a concealed carry permit as part of my retirement package and have faithfully renewed it every five years since I could never be certain that I might have to take a job again that required being armed. Best decision I ever made (and that includes working night trips in the downtown Miami to Miami Beach area as part of my guiding services where I'm at one boat ramp or another at all hours of the night...). My day trips have me in the salt Everglades - far from most folks (and that suits me just fine...).

 

[C0untZer0]

How is it a sound, rational, and prudent decision to carry a firearm, but insane to wear a protective jacket or vest?

All the things that would factor into a decision to arm oneself factor likewise into using bullet and knife resistant clothing to protect oneself.

Worried about being mugged? About being car jacked? About being in a store when a robbery begins? Any reason to carry a gun also translates into a reason to wear protective clothing.

And again, there are different levels, it is not an all or nothing condition. Wearing protective clothing doesn't mean that you have to walk around looking like a member of a SWAT team 24x7.

It depends on how you think about it, or how it's done. Strapping on a LEVEL III bullet proof vest every morning as you get dressed is one thing, donning a light LEVEL IIA jacket in the fall or winter when you walk your dog or run errands is another thing.

One of the things about protective clothing is that it does it's job whether you are caught by surprise or not. Unlike a weapon, you employ it when you put it on.
It makes even more sense than wearing a gun. It's legal almost everywhere, sets off no metal detectors, requires no skill or training, is no risk/threat to anyone involved, and is more likely to save your life.

 

[entropy]

Let's just say it tests Clint Smith's axiom as a corollary, "A vest shouldn't be comfortable, it should be comforting." to the extreme.

 

[Browning]

Only time I've worn body armor professionally was when I was employed as an armored car guard for a short time period for Brinks in the 90's.

As an EMT some places have it, but I haven't worn it.

Only other time I've worn it privately was for a pistol class.

We actually have 4 sets. One level II vest and 3 sets of IIIA. One for each member of our family.

I keep mine by my nightstand and the other 3 are by our walk in bathroom (our rally point inside the house). I've practiced putting it on after grabbing my glasses and pistol. Throw my right arm through and throw it over my head. Even if I don't cinch down the two left side straps it provides a good area of protection.

Given the amount of money that I've spent on guns, mags, ammo, food and water storage and Medical gear I felt that it was an area that we were lacking in. We have everything else, might as will get that too.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I don't own any, and even growing up in the Detroit area, I never felt I could benefit from any, more than a scant few times, at a cost-effective rate. Those times were high-alert and we were usually armed, even before Michigan's shall issue days. Worst was taking our own neighborhood's streets back by force of arms without a shot being fired. Open carry was common for those of us that owned handguns, and I still credit that with turning the tide. At that time, we went from one of the worst crime-ridden areas in the city to one of the least in a period of less than 6 months, and community policing considered us a model of reform for the city. Where I live now, I certainly don't feel the need, though I must admit, that compression vest in the second link would be a good idea at a marginal price, as just another tool in the chest. And even now, I REFUSE to call anyone that feels a need for one paranoid. I find that rather offensive.

 

[GBExpat]

After reading some of the responses I got to thinking that it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a lower-cost II or IIIa vest available to quickly don if things go bump in the night 'round here ... so I warmed up my google-fu ...

... and saw some of the pricing ...

... and decided that I will be spending money on a .45cal can (for alternate use with 9mm) before buying any body armor.

 

[coloradokevin]

Along the lines of what I was saying previously in this thread, I think there's a point where any sort of preparedness becomes paranoia. For examples, do you wear a Nomex suit, fire retardant gloves, and a helmet any time you drive your car? These are rather standard pieces of equipment for professional race car drivers, and it's certainly true that some people have died from fire/head trauma related injuries in everyday auto accidents. But, I think the issue is much the same here: wearing a seatbelt and driving carefully are normal levels of preparedness, whereas strapping on a fire resistant suit and a helmet before taking the ol' Volvo over to the grocery store is normally considered a bit over the top.

Regardless of what any of you decide to do on this issue, remember that body armor only protects a limited portion of your body. Your head, neck, groin, lower abdominal area, armpits, legs, and arms are all exposed. Hits to any of these areas can be fatal, and hits to some of those areas are likely fatal. It's best to avoid the fight, and if you find yourself in a fight, it's best to avoid being shot.

 

[ilbob]

It's best to avoid the fight, and if you find yourself in a fight, it's best to avoid being shot.

Good advice if you can make it work.

I am not a huge proponent of some of the things people have bought to be "prepared". But that is a personal choice and people can spend their own money as they see fit.

I wonder how many people that buy body armor have smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers. Those are far more likely to be needed than body armor for most people.

 

[Jenrick]

I've worn it for about 12 years now as a full time LEO. Can it be hot, heavy, bulky, etc? Absolutely. Does it provide passive protection that really nothing else does? Yep.

If I lived or worked in area that I faced a higher then average risk of being mugged, assaulted, etc. I wouldn't have any issues with wearing soft armor. Also it is extremely helpful in the event of a car accident spreading the impact load across the torso, and helping to prevent puncture injuries to the abdomen. If you are assaulted with an edged weapon, it can also be extremely useful unless you're being attacked by an ice pick or something similar.

I would personally find an older NIJ.05 level II vest. Yes they will all be out of the 5 year period that the manufacturer warrants them to work in, but having shot a Conex full (okay really probably about half full) of 15-20 year old panels over the years at work they work just fine 20 years out as they do in the 5 year period. The older level II vests are MUCH more flexible and low profile, and they will still stop 99.9% of the rounds you encounter a criminal armed with. A level II vest will stop (as in prevent the round from exiting the armor panel) most of the threats a level IIIa vest will, there will just be more back face deformation. I'll take a busted rib and bruised spleen from a .357 mag versus a hole any day of the week.

As far as costs goes, shop around. I've used Bulletproofme.com before and they are a good company. Level II police surplus vest start at $190, which is not budget breaking at all.

-Jenrick

 

[ilbob]

I have seen some interesting ballistic shields being sold that can be put inside a backpack or a briefcase and are not especially heavy. They claim some interesting things as far as effectiveness go and are not real expensive.

I guess if I was going to get shot I would prefer having any kind of body armor to having no body armor. especially if the shooter was only allowed to shoot at the body armor covered parts.

For those of you looking for cost effective plates there are some very interesting youtube videos on some chinese plates you might want to look at.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

So, the question is, how do you feel about the new concealable body armor, and do you own and wear it?

Used to wear it for work. No need for it any longer. Am more concerned about being struck by lightning (and I am not concerned at all about it).

 

[DoubleMag]

Seems that most here believe it's O-K if you know you will be in a hazardous environment. The perfect example is LEO work and military services.

What if you already own armor and are attending, in today's charged environment, a pro-2A rally?

 

[strambo]

I don't think it is "paranoia" at all and would absolutely wear it if...

...there was an intersection of comfort, cost, and threat level that made sense to me. Right now with a very low threat level (far west suburbs of Portland which is a pretty safe city anyway), and the cost for these custom items being cray-cray...not yet.

I do have armor under the bed ready to go with a spare mag and light for a home invasion though (and for the wife). The cost of a basic plate carrier and plates has come way down in price.

 

[Jeff White]

I do have armor under the bed ready to go with a spare mag and light for a home invasion though (and for the wife). The cost of a basic plate carrier and plates has come way down in price.

The one time I had to roll out of bed and respond to something at home (thieves breaking into my neighbor’s truck) I grabbed my patrol rifle and my off duty pistol and left my body armor sit. It never crossed my mind. After an on duty deputy responded and took the thieves into custody I went back into the house and my wife reminded me that I had forgotten my body armor.

I recommend that you practice grabbing your load out so that you don’t forget something.

 

[Jesse H]

I wear soft armor as a patrolman and plate carrier on SWAT.

Yes it's in our general orders but I personally don't wear it to save my life, but so I can stay in the fight longer.

While off duty I'm not assaulting houses of known gang members or chasing armed robbers.

If you enjoy sweating on a beautiful 73 degree day at your kid's little league game while your vitals are protected by common pistol calibers, have at it!