Doing this in Spain could soon save your life
Sales of bulletproof backpacks are surging in Spain as the sense of insecurity grows. Preparedness or paranoia? We look at the data and the tactics involved.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Why more and more Spaniards are buying bulletproof backpacks
In a viral video, a man saves himself from a shootout by crawling under a car. But it is not the first time we have seen something like this: in Spain, purchases of backpacks with ballistic protection have skyrocketed. Preparedness or paranoia? What the data does not say is that the tactical gear market is growing while the perception of insecurity rises.
The technique: drop the backpack before taking cover
Those who analyze these videos point to a common mistake: not letting go of the backpack when crawling. The backpack, even a bulletproof one, catches under the car and can leave you trapped. The mental discipline of releasing it is key to survival. Also, if you flee, your back is exposed, so a backpack with rear protection is more useful than a front-only vest.
Protection levels: from III to VI
On the market you can find backpacks with protection levels ranging from III (able to stop rifle rounds) to VI (with ceramic plates). Some models include deployable side panels. Weight and usable space are drawbacks, but demand is growing among people living in troubled areas or anticipating a rise in urban violence.
A fad or a necessity?
Official data do not show an increase in mass shootings, but they do show a rise in settling of scores in certain cities. While some bet on self-protection, others believe the solution lies in more restrictive immigration policies. The debate is open, but the market has already voted: bulletproof backpacks are selling like hotcakes.
The question nobody answers is how long it will take the Government to regulate these products, or whether they will simply become just another accessory in Spaniards' daily lives. For now, the decision is an individual one.
Related discussions in the forum
In a viral video, a man saves himself from a shootout by crawling under a car. But it is not the first time we have seen something like this: in Spain, purchases of backpacks with ballistic protection have skyrocketed. Preparedness or paranoia? What the data does not say is that the tactical gear market is growing while the perception of insecurity rises.
The technique: drop the backpack before taking cover
Those who analyze these videos point to a common mistake: not letting go of the backpack when crawling. The backpack, even a bulletproof one, catches under the car and can leave you trapped. The mental discipline of releasing it is key to survival. Also, if you flee, your back is exposed, so a backpack with rear protection is more useful than a front-only vest.
Protection levels: from III to VI
On the market you can find backpacks with protection levels ranging from III (able to stop rifle rounds) to VI (with ceramic plates). Some models include deployable side panels. Weight and usable space are drawbacks, but demand is growing among people living in troubled areas or anticipating a rise in urban violence.
A fad or a necessity?
Official data do not show an increase in mass shootings, but they do show a rise in settling of scores in certain cities. While some bet on self-protection, others believe the solution lies in more restrictive immigration policies. The debate is open, but the market has already voted: bulletproof backpacks are selling like hotcakes.
The question nobody answers is how long it will take the Government to regulate these products, or whether they will simply become just another accessory in Spaniards' daily lives. For now, the decision is an individual one.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (27 replies).
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