There was a time when a civilian owning ballistically rated armor was a very rare thing. It was expensive, hard to find, and mainly being purchased by police forces around the country. In 2018 the exact opposite is occurring. Body armor is everywhere and its dropped in price so much so if you can afford a Hi-Point you can afford a set of hard plate body armor. The civilian market for armor, especially AR500 steel, has exploded. If you don’t own armor yet, now is the time to buy and here is 5 reasons why civilians should own body armor
Dangerous Jobs
Outside of police and military forces, there are plenty of dangerous jobs civilians do without the joy of backup and other armed persons. When I was younger I often did a job where I had to collect money or collect property. I was threatened, harassed, and often felt vulnerable. A set of armor could at least let me escape a bad situation with most of my body protected.
How many other jobs do civilians do that could warrant body armor? Repossession work of any kind, process servers, bail bondsman, private security, and so on and so forth. Dangerous jobs are dangerous jobs and body armor, soft or hard, can save a life. Hell, Paramedics in Cleveland are required to wear body armor on the job.
It’s Just Another Option
Body armor is like a gun, its an option you can use. Its one of those, “Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” Body armor is affordable, easy to find, and most armor will last forever if it’s not shot of course. Having it at home or in a vehicle as a just in case bad things happen isn’t a crazy decision.
Bad things do happen, and body armor is so affordable it’s not like you are going to spend a fortune for something that has a very small chance of happening. Also like a handgun having it doesn’t mean you have to use it. It’s just an option.
It can be Both Covert and Overt
Gone are the days of massive and bulky plate carriers that leave you feeling like that kid in the Christmas story. Light and minimalist carriers are everywhere and they are well suited for the typical civilian’s needs.
Additionally, body armor can be extremely covert. From t-shirts that hold plates to my favorite Briefcase that is secretly a plate carrier. Made by Phalanx Defense this carrier can hold soft or hard armor and turns into a briefcase when not in use.
Other carriers like this Emergency Personal Carrier are a single panel for a single plate that is small, light and easy to carry. Body armor options of all kinds exist and you can go as overt or covert as you want.
Keeps you Prepared
Bad things happen, from man-made and natural disasters to riots and protests and a prepared individual has to be ready to escape and to live. Body Armor should be part of that escape plan. Additionally, if you keep a rifle for the reason the 2nd Amendment was written why wouldn’t you have body armor?
Some People Don’t Want you to Have It
If you truly want me to buy something, introduce a bill to ban it from civilian use. At this time body armor is regulated lightly. Felons can’t own it and using it in the commission of a crime can lead to a longer sentence overall. A Representative named Mike Honda introduced a bill to ban certain types of armor for civilian use, basically all armor that exceeds type 3. Yep, and the guy is an avowed anti-gunner. He wants to ban body rmor, guns, and even 80% lowers. Body armor can’t hurt anyone unless you take it off and beat them with it. This makes me want it more than anything else.
Body Armor and You
The decision to buy body armor shouldn’t be a hard choice anymore. It’s widespread in the gun community, it’s affordable, and it’s effective. Carriers of all types exist and it could save your life. Civilian ownership of body armor is a freedom you should enjoy.
