Bulletproof blankets for schools are fast becoming viral as photos were recently released of the new alleged "defence" against school shootings. According to the Agence France-Presse (AFP), the bulletproof blankets for schools are to be America's new protection for whenever another shooting spree occurs in a school campus.
The new bulletproof blankets for schools were invented by a doctor from Oklahoma. According to the international news agency, the doctor came up with the concept of the blankets as he was inspired by one of America's most notorious school shootings. The doctor invented the bulletproof blankets for schools, probably an unusual defence, but a defence which might just work against mad gunmen who decides to have shooting sessions inside classrooms.
The doctor who invented the bulletproof blankets for schools is 43-year-old Steve Walker. A father of two, Walker said he conceptualized and made into reality the orange-colored bulletproof blankets for schools.
US broadcaster NPR has compared the blankets to a yoga mat. They may look like yoga mats. However their purpose is far more beneficial to the exercise apparatus. The bulletproof blankets for schools aim to provide greater protection for children inside schools in case shootings or tornadoes might occur.
Company ProTecht, L.L.C. is apparently already distributing the said bulletproof blankets for schools which has been termed "BodyguardTM blankets."
The company has shared a photo on Facebook of the blankets used by children.
In the company description, the bulletproof blankets for schools are supposedly "specifically designed to protect children and school faculty from unforeseen tragedies, such as tornado's and school shootings."
According to Hindustan Times, Walker was inspired with the idea of bulletproof blankets for schools as he felt frustrated with the murder of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. Another incident which gave him inspiration is the tornado which hit schools in Oklahoma in May 2013.
In line with school shootings which has been the inspiration for the bulletproof blankets for schools, two people were killed a recent shooting on Tuesday at an Oregon high school. The two people killed were reportedly of the gunman and a student.
A group called "Everytown for Gun Safety" which aims to end gun violence has been set up by billionaire and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. According to Bloomberg, the founder of the group, there have already been 74 school shootings in America since the shooting at Sandy Hook.
Because of the massacre at Sandy Hook, intense debate about lax US gun control laws has been conducted. However, measures supported by President Barack Obama did not pull through as gun rights supporters led by the National Rifle Association made fierce opposition.
Because of the intense debate, Walker said that he and his co-inventors wanted to get "above the political deadlock" and come up with a product which can be agreed upon by both sides.
Walker said by telephone from Oklahoma, "We really don't take one side or another, because doing that just gets you where we currently are, and that is no protection for our children."
According to the developers of the bulletproof blankets for schools, the $1,000 blanket is made of the same bullet resistant materials as the US military. The bulletproof blankets for schools can protect its wearers against 90% of all weapons used in recent school shootings in the US.
In the promotional video of the bulletproof blankets for schools, children were shown crouching under the blankets strapped to their backs. Walker told AFP, "By no means are we saying it will prevent all children from being injured. We're just reducing the chance."
Despite some promising reviews, there were still negative remarks regarding the bulletproof blankets for schools.
Some have criticize the bright orange color of the bulletproof blankets for schools. On the product's Facebook page, saying it might catch a shooter's attention to a child even more.
US media outlets have also reportedly warned that the price of the bulletproof blankets for schools, which is $1,000 each, is definitely way beyond the budget of many schools, even though substantial discounts are offered.
When it comes to the price of the bulletproof blankets for schools, Walker defended the product as being made with bullet-resistant material making it expensive. He also said that the blankets are five times cheaper than tornado shelters which can amount to $5 million to build.
Though Walker and his co-creators are the first to invent bulletproof blankets for schools, they are reportedly not the first people to offer protective gear for US school children. Other companies have also invented bullet-proof backpacks and inserts.
Bulletproof blankets for schools have been launched in late May, and Inventor Stan Schone said the company has had individual customers as well as a number of school districts who seemed interested in the bulletproof blankets for schools.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
