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Comment by jsjohnst | Hacker News Reader

> I can see the bulletproof part - don't want criminals to be wearing it and thus forcing police to have high power rifles around to take them down

Bullet proof clothing typically covers the chest area and wearing it doesn’t mean you won’t be injured. As a police officer’s primary job is to diffuse a crisis situation, not “kill every suspected perp”, I see minimal reason a bullet proof vest on the perp would impact the police significantly.

Try getting shot, especially multiple times, wearing a bullet proof vest and you’ll understand completely why my opinion isn’t out of line.

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> Try getting shot, especially multiple times, wearing a bullet proof vest and you’ll understand completely why my opinion isn’t out of line.

What is it like, for those of us who don't have guns and bulletproof vests on hands to experiment? Does it knock the breath out of you? Would it bring you to the ground?

Depending on the (edit handgun) caliber it could bring you to the ground even with adrenaline flowing. You will end up with large bruises for sure. If there is a rifle involved >.22 caliber, then you will likely face penetration unless you have a trauma plate. Body extremities really can't be effectively protected.

3A Body Armor vs. 5.56 Nato and 7.62 x 39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JwlzR5nPFw

3A Body Armor vs.12ga. Buckshot and Slugs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qSVOZfp3R4

3A Body Armor vs. Pistol Caliber Carbines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia1k1Zg4l2A

https://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-1-the-original-...

Handguns are handguns. Rifles are rifles.

Yes, caliber and grains matter too (in addition to barrel). A rim fire .22 is so different from a .223, that it's comparing them is almost useless (but not quite). Just look at the cartridge and it becomes very clear... http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/05/03/guest-post-22-...

Might break a rib too, no? I've seen a video of tests on clay dummies so they can see the depth of damage from the impact behind the vest.

It depends on how far away, and what you were shot with... vests are designed to block hand guns, not rifels. It may not stop every bullet. A larger hand gun, say 50cal, has more recoil and is harder to aim with sequential shots, thus not practical... but feels amazing and is so loud!

I believe it would take a person down and possibly kill them. I've been told police are taught 2 to the chest 1 to the head.

From my quick googling, a great read: "...Among the accounts from those who have experienced being shot while wearing a bulletproof vest (and lived to talk about it), there is one consistent analogy to describe the feeling: being hit with a baseball bat. ..." http://www.ponderweasel.com/shot-wearing-a-bulletproof-vest/

Indeed, obviously having not experienced it myself, just from understanding the sheer physics of it and how bullet-proof vests work, my initial prediction would be something like:

"Getting hit hard in the chest by a big blunt concussive object"

Police are taught to put all rounds in center body massage. They are never trained to do 'headshots' pistols are not made for that kind of accuracy, especially in high stress/adrenaline situations.

A lot of times vests are rated for only one shot. Getting shot multiple times may very well compromise the vest.

I’ve not experienced it directly, but I have a couple of friends who have. Best case scenario you are knocked down and bruised, worse case you get broken ribs, worst case the vest isn’t rated for the caliber and goes through.

You feel the entire kinetic energy of the bullet with a vest, the bullet just doesn’t go through. Imagine driving a truck at 100mph into a sturdy concrete wall. Similarish outcome.

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