From bulletproof blankets to devices designed to keep psychopaths with guns out of classrooms, the free market is offering solutions that Congress will not–which, unfortunately, do nothing to prevent bloodshed from happening in the first place.
Now, a former police officer has teamed up with her daughter to invent the latest product designed to offset Congress’ inaction: the bulletproof backpack. Christina Thomas and her daughter Kelsey Thomas-Gregorio have proudly introduced AttachaPack, a line of backpacks for children that come with bulletproof inserts–and don’t worry parents: They’re customizable!
“Our mission is to offer a range of innovative backpacks that can be personalized and enhanced in a way that excites kids and gives parents peace of mind,” they say on their web site.
Available with a variety of options, the packs sell for up to $70 and are designed to “give parents peace of mind.” However, school security experts doubt their effectiveness. Ken Trump, a Cleveland-based school safety consultant, told NBC that “It may be well-intended but it’s not well thought-out.” He added, “I would ask this question: If you need a bulletproof backpack, wouldn’t the child also need a bulletproof front pack and a helmet and a Captain America shield?”
“I have a vision of a classroom of kids running down a gym court playing basketball with their backpacks on,” Trump said.
Of course we have already responded to an earlier story about another company selling these completely useless backpacks, as well as the bulletproof mats, and calls to arm classroom teachers.
None of which will do a damn thing about the loss of life in the event of a school shooting.
And speaking of the loss of life, one has to question the compassion demonstrated by a company that decorates its supposedly life saving accessory with human skulls.
If people really want to protect our children they need to pass comprehensive gun legislation that will keep guns out of the hands of people who should NEVER have access to them.
Even if the kids had the presence of mind to hide behind one of these things, the first bullet would knock them over, the rest would shred their little bodies.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the harsh imagery.
Stupid really, especially the part about arming teachers. As a teacher with 40 years experience, I can tell you that there are teachers as unbalanced as the shooters. I would never let a child of mine go to a school where the staff is armed. The kids would get caught in the crossfire or one of the yahoos would forget to secure the gun and an accidental shooting would occur. Also, these people calling for arming teachers never worked with teenagers. The teachers would be shooting the lips off the students. Dumbasses.
ReplyDeleteArming teachers is stupid for soooo many reasons, and clearly thought up by people who have never worked in a school of any grade level.
DeleteI agree that I would never allow a child of mine to attend a school with armed staff.
And I work in an inner city school district!
In my school, the students hang their backpacks in the closets first thing in the morning and don't take them out again until the end of the day. In some schools I've visited, the kids' cubbies are in the hallways, before they even get into the classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI suppose bulletproof backpacks would keep the back walls of the closets/cubbies from getting scratched by stray shots, but they wouldn't do a damn thing for the kids.
How about we figure out a way to keep the damn guns OUT of the damn schools instead!!!
O/T "For those of you who don’t know the name Holly Fisher, she’s also known as “Holly Hobby Lobby,” the “Christian Taliban” girl. Her moniker has given Fox & Friends a sad, so they decided to give her some air time for a little ass kissi - I mean, rehab."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newshounds.us/fox_friends_rehab_holly_fisher_ignore_her_healthcare_hypocrisy_07152014#I3LQOmlEO5aBGRvR.99
Missouri's governor, Jay Nixon, has vetoed a bill that would have allowed armed teachers in classrooms. "Arming teachers will not make our schools safer," he said. "I have supported and will continue to support the use of duly authorized law enforcement officers employed as school resource officers, but I cannot condone putting firearms in the hands of educators who should be focused on teaching our kids."
ReplyDeleteSanity wins, for a change.
And while the kids are cowering under the backpacks, the shooter has a bunch of sitting ducks.
ReplyDelete"Wait!! Hold up while the kids go out to their locker and come back with their back packs,then you can shoot."
ReplyDeleteIdiots.
This is even more reprehensible than the ones holding the guns. Making money off the deaths of young people like Taylor Green and the kids in Conneticuit is beyond the pale.
ReplyDeleteEven more disgusting is that parents will buy into it, thinking it'll help.
Most schools are built of cinder block, the perfect material for ricochets where one bullet can kill more than one person. I'd call them idiots, but it's not a good enough descriptive. They're lower than a mite on the belly of a flea on the belly of a snake.