Why do I need body Armor?

Men waring Skeletac Hybrid Tactical Bulletproof Vest

When it comes to protecting your home, family, and property, guns alone aren’t enough. Every American needs to have some form of ballistic protection so that they can keep their homes safe from criminals and intruders. Body armor doesn’t only protect you from bullets, it gives you the confidence to engage armed assailants more effectively, improving your defensive and offensive abilities. Body Armor also protects countless police officers, security guards, first responders, and military personnel as they perform their duties to protect society and their countries.

So, in today’s post, we are going to talk about the reasons why you need to own body armor and give you some valuable information that will help you make the best decision when buying body armor.

The potential risks we encounter every day

It is very unfortunate, but it is completely true that we live in a dangerous world. Crime rates have increased over the past decades, and every other day, people are getting mugged in the streets, or shot in their homes. In fact, according to the DOJ, over a million home burglaries happen in the US every year. In most of these situations, you can’t rely on the police to get there in time to protect you and your family, and the defense of your home falls into your own hands.

Moreover, People who work in law enforcement agencies, or have jobs as security guards and first responders also continuously put themselves at risk. They operate in hostile environments, with constant danger looming over their heads. In dangerous situations, like public shootings, and terror attacks, when everyone else runs away from the danger, these people run towards it.

The situation has become so dire, that even our children aren’t safe in their schools. Multiple school shootings over the past decade have left everyone in a state of fear and it doesn’t seem like this problem is going to go away any time soon.

So, we are surrounded by potential risks every day in our lives. Whether you are a police officer patrolling the streets, or a civilian sitting at home, your environment is never completely safe. Therefore, body armor is an essential investment. Protective vests, ballistic shields, and plate carriers can give you some much-needed ballistic protection, and save your life.

What type of armor is right for me?

Now, there are various types of body armor available on the market, which provide different levels of protection and are suitable for different situations. The right kind of body armor for you will depend a lot on how you intend to use it, and what level of protection you are looking for. Here are the four main factors that will help you choose the perfect kind of body armor for your protection needs.

Ballistic protection

First of all, you need to consider what kind of ballistic protection you are looking for. Soft armor ballistic vests are designed to protect the wearer against pistol threats. Level IIIa is the maximum protection level for soft armor bulletproof vests. These bulletproof vests are ideal for most civilians who want ballistic protection for home defense. They are lightweight, flexible, and easy to wear for longer times. Moreover, in most situations, you are much more likely to face pistol threats rather than rifles. Most police officers also use simple soft armor bulletproof vests.

If you feel like you are going to face rifle threats, you need to move up to hard armor plates for protection. These plates are carried in plate carrier, which is worn on your chest. Armor plates also come in multiple levels, which are designed to stop different levels of rifle threats. Level III hard body armor plates are more than enough for civilians since they can stop most intermediate rifle cartridges. These plates are also used by special law enforcement units like SWAT when they are performing tactical operations. The military uses level IV body armor plates, which can also stop some heavy armor-piercing rounds.

So, choose the kind of body armor that offers you the ballistic protection that you need. Level IIIa bulletproof vests are ideal for most civilians.

Concealability:

Next up, concealability is another important factor when it comes to body armor. If you want to wear body armor in public, going to concealable ballistic vests is a better option. Though you can legally wear overt body armor in public, concealable body armor allows you to stay inconspicuous, and avoid looks from others. You can get both concealable bullet proof vests, and plate carriers, however, keep in mind that these concealable armor vests don’t have MOLLE compatibility, and can be used to carry additional tactical gear like most overt tactical vests.

Weight

Weight is another important consideration when it comes to buying body armor. If you are going to wear your body armor for a very long time, you need something lightweight that allows you to maintain your mobility and movement. A Ballistic vest is an excellent option since soft body armor is considerably lighter than hard body armor plates, which are made from ceramics, steel, and PE. You should also keep in mind that typically, the higher the protection level of the body armor, the heavier it is going to be.

Budget

Lastly, you should consider your budget. There are several brands that make body armor on the market, however, Acelink Armor has a wide range of Bullet proof vests and ballistic body armor plates that are quite affordable and extremely effective.

Can I hide the armor under my shirt?

Yes, there are several types of concealable bulletproof vests and ballistic t-shirts that you can wear under your shirt for inconspicuous ballistic protection. These concealable ballistic vests are great for wearing in public, under your normal clothes. In fact, many police officers also choose to wear concealable body armor under their uniforms.

If you are looking for body armor to wear under your shirt, the Apex Concealed Bulletproof T-shirt from Acelink Armor is an excellent option. This ultra concealable shirt is made from moisture-wicking material, is super lightweight, and has a level IIIa ballistic protection panel to cover your vitals and provide reliable protection against the most popular pistol calibers.

Concealed Armor T-Shirt Level 3A

APEX CONCELAED BULLETPROOF T-SHIRT

The Concealed Armor T-shirt offers Level IIIA protection against most handgun rounds.

The T-shirt is made of ultra-lightweight materials and is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It can be easily concealed under a shirt or jacket, making it an ideal choice for body armor.

It is Constructed from moisture wicking 85% polyester/15% spandex compression fabric with antimicrobial properties and gives you All the protection of a light armor vest with the convenience and comfort of a t-shirt.

Can I hide the armor under my shirt?

Bulletproof vests have soft body armor panels inside them, which are made from Aramid materials like Kevlar. The ability of these body armor panels to stop bullets depends upon their threat protection level. In the US, the threat protection levels of body armor are determined and regulated by the NIJ (National Institute of Justice), and they have standardized three basic protection levels for tactical vests.

These protection levels are Level IIa, Level II, and Level IIIA. level IIa and level II are not that common these days, however, some manufacturers still do make them. They can offer protection against some common pistol calibers.

Level IIa is tested to stop 9mm and .40 Smith and Wesson, whereas Level II can also stop calibers up to .357 Magnum. The most common body armor level used in tactical vests is level IIIa. A level IIIa body armor vest can stop almost all common pistol calibers, up to .44 Magnum. It can easily stop 9mm, .40 S$W, .45 ACP, .357 Sig, and several other calibers.

PRODUCT COMPARISION

Spectre Bulletproof Vest Level IIIA Standard
CONCEALABLE VEST STOPS UP TO .44 MAG
Price $565.00
Comp-28 Bulletproof Vest Level IIIA Standard
TACTICAL VEST STOPS UP TO .44 MAG
Price $592.00

Final Thoughts:

So, with the concerning crime rates, and the increasing trend of home invasions, public shootings, and other similar attacks, body armor can give you some much-needed peace of mind. It can give you the confidence to engage threats head on, and protect your family, property, and Liberty more effectively.