The Backpack Shield BP3A Level IIIA Ballistic Plate is made from Kevlar, offers full NIJ level IIIA protection in the form of a simple plate that can be placed in packs, messenger bags, briefcases and other similar EDC bags.
The above plate was shot with 32 rounds of pistol ammo ranging from 9mm to 45ACP
This isn’t the first of its kind, but its interesting to see LaRue once again expand from their core business to offer their customers new products. And I think they are right on time with this one. If you or your significant other regularly carry a daypack or have children who do, then this is a great, simple addition to your EDC that gives you something to hide behind in the event you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Think of it as insurance.
One point to consider is the weight. It’s 2 lbs. That’s a big deal to an adult or older kid but it could be a bit of a burden for a younger child in addition to his books. Also, consider the size when ordering to make sure you have a pack to fit. It’s 17” high x 12 wide” x .375” thick (Plate surface is roughly .25” thick). If your concern is to protect yourself or family, have the pack or attache accommodate the plate and not the other way around.
Manufactured in Austin, Texas, the Backpack Shield BP3A Level IIIA Ballistic Plate, is available at www.laruetactical.com/backpack-shield.
Tags: LaRue Tactical
Really?
I don’t quite think I’ve ever seen a product so nakedly pray on irrational fears. The statistical probability of ever being the victim of a mass casualty shooting where such an item would come in handy is infinitesimally small. In fact, one would need to be living an extraordinarily disciplined life that avoids the hundreds of other, far more probable and common, threats to our personal safety in order to make a ballistic plate in your backpack a meaningful item in any way.
The common household bathroom is, statistically speaking, far more likely to kill/maim you than an active shooter. Non-slip bath mats will, quite literally, offer you far more protection than an armored plate in your flipping backpack.
Shall I take your argument to its natural conclusion? Or have you already thought it through to that?
Well put.
There goes the argument for CCW. Who needs a gun right?
Exactly where I was going. Folks don’t think their arguments through.
I CCW an HK45C every day.
Having said that, can we not all see that there comes a certain point where the law of diminishing returns kicks in, and expending effort/resources on addressing very specific threats crosses a line into paranoia fetishism?
Am I the only one who sort of rolls my eyes when talking to some of my fellow gun owners who are smokers, seriously overweight, or heavy drinkers (or a combination therein) who than preach the virtues of say, carrying an extra Glock 19 magazine, because they “… may very well face multiple attackers!”
Yea, is their position logical? Sure! Is it very *probable*? No. Is the effort they are expending in the name of personal safety vis-a-vis self defense sort of a joke when they clearly are participating in activities with a guaranteed result of causing premature death? I think so.
Look, I am all in favor of companies making every piece of wacky, specialty gear they possibly can. I am glad to see all of it offered on the marketplace. Even so, I have to wonder if there are not a huge swath of citizen/mil/leo users out there who have not gotten themselves onto an endless bandwagon of buying crap under the illusion that they actually need it… when really, they just like buying crap.
Tell that to my friends who got shot at Virginia Tech.
Way I see it this is something that is for that off chance of an active shooter scenario. I would see this being marketed for college students, where like it or not active shooter scenarios play out. One person with one of these during the Virginia Tech massacre could have saved themselves or someone else.
As such, if I’m ever personally in a situation where the infinitesimally small probability of an active shooter scenario happens, I’d rather have one of these in my bag to protect myself or someone else than not.
Why isn’t it marketed for college students?
That’s what I’m thinking. That’s a real good market for this. First thing I did after seeing this was link a few of my family members and friends that are students to it.
If they marketed it right they could get alot of business, and potentially save a few lives in the next active shooter scenario at a college.
I like the idea of this product, it makes a lot of sense and I’d even consider getting one except that a) it’s probably out of my price range, b) I don’t regularly carry a backpack or attache on me, & c) it’s probably illegal in CA because it would probably constitute as body armor. Still, it definitely would be a good idea for college students who generally aren’t allowed to conceal carry and carry a backpack on them nearly all the time.
There is a PE material out there that is about a 1/4 inch thick, and wieghs only a few ounces that is rated Level IIIA. The manufacturer should get on the ball…
2 lbs. is a lot. I have a full vest that weighs less.