| A bullet-resistant vest (body armor) - is an | | | | bullet, further reducing its ability to |
| article of protective clothes that works as a | | | | penetrate. |
| form of armor to minimize injury from | | | | |
| projectiles fired from handguns, shotguns and | | | | While a vest can prevent bullet wounds, the |
| rifles. They are commonly worn by police | | | | wearer still absorbs the bullet's energy, |
| forces, the military and private security and | | | | which can cause blunt force trauma. The |
| civilians where legal. However, they are | | | | majority of users experience only bruising, |
| sometimes worn illegally, by those that the | | | | but impacts can cause severe internal |
| relevant government refuses to allow body | | | | injuries. This is considered to be |
| armor. | | | | unimportant by many, as it seems guaranteed |
| | | | any bullets or shrapnel with sufficient force |
| The term "bullet-proof" is a misnomer since | | | | to cause notable injuries would do more |
| these vests (depending on their armor level, | | | | damage without the vest. |
| see below) may provide little or no | | | | |
| protection against rifle ammunition or even | | | | Most vests offer little protection against |
| against handgun ammunition fired from a | | | | arrows, ice picks, or stabbing knife blows. |
| pistol-caliber carbine. The exception is the | | | | As the force is concentrated in a relatively |
| common .22LR ammunition, which can usually be | | | | small area with such bladed weapons, the tip |
| stopped by these vests even when fired from a | | | | of the object can push through the weave of |
| rifle. These vests are usually protective | | | | most bullet-resistant fabrics. |
| against handgun ammunition fired from | | | | Specially-designed vests are available that |
| handguns (once again, depending on their | | | | can provide protection against bladed |
| armor level.) | | | | weapons, and sharp objects; they are often |
| | | | used in prison-guard vests. |
| Vests may be augmented with metal (steel or | | | | |
| titanium), ceramic or polyethylene plates | | | | There are a variety of strategies to achieve |
| that provide extra protection to vital areas. | | | | stab and slash protection. Some materials |
| These hard armor plates have proven effective | | | | like Dyneema do offer considerable protection |
| against all handgun bullets and against | | | | against these types of threats. This is |
| specific rifles using specific ammunition. | | | | important for the safety of law enforcement |
| Normally referred to as tactical body armor, | | | | and prison guard personnel. |
| these types of vests have become standard in | | | | |
| military use, as soft body armor only vests | | | | Bulletproof vests are legal in most |
| are ineffective against most military rifle | | | | countries. One exception is Australia, where |
| rounds. The CRISAT NATO standard for body | | | | body armor has been prohibited for some time. |
| armor specifies the use of titanium backing. | | | | This ban may have its origins in the late |
| | | | 19th century, when the iconic Australian |
| A vest does not protect the wearer by | | | | outlaw and folk hero Ned Kelly used home-made |
| deflecting bullets. Instead, the layers of | | | | armor with mixed results. While the steel |
| material catch the bullet and spread its | | | | armor worn by Kelly defeated the soft lead, |
| force over a larger portion of the body, | | | | low velocity bullets fired by police Martini |
| absorbing energy more quickly and hopefully | | | | Henry rifles, it greatly restricted his |
| bringing it to a stop before it can penetrate | | | | movement. |
| into the body. This tends to deform the | | | | |