Bullet-Proof Hoodies to Protect Gang Members?
(4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
A company is in the process of manufacturing and selling bullet-proof hoodies that can withstand 9mm Magnum handgun bullets, in response to high rate of gun crime in some areas. Although the manufacturer claims it is designed for innocent people that live in areas where gun crime is rife, some are suggesting the target group may be teenage gang members.
The news about the hoodies has caused quite a bit of consternation among these groups because it is possibly seen as encouraging gang-culture among teenagers as it could give them an aura of invincibility.
As far as I see it, if it saves lives then it’s a good thing even if it is designed for a group of people that any decent human being cannot easily tolerate. Every human life is precious, even those that may have strayed from decent human behaviour. The argument in some quarters that it will create a sense of invincibility among gang members may have some substance, however, it is predicted they are unlikely to be a big market because of the cost of such clothing and, secondly, it should be the police and social services that should act to dampen gang-culture in the first place.
It should be remembered that people can already get hold of bullet-proof vests that they can wear under other clothing, so to suggest this will lead to a big market among gang fraternity holds little weight.
Its also the responsibility of parents and guardians to keep teenagers in the right path and away from trouble, and no type of clothing should be an excuse to let them roam free and involve themselves in criminal activity.
Of course, many people are also innocent victims who just happen to be in the firing line because they live in areas that have high propensity of gun use. For these people, this may well give them a great sense of protection.
A little more on the clothing. These hoodies are made with a fabric called Dyneema. They appear to be like any other hoodies and are lightweight and comfortable to wear, at least according to the manufucterer, Bladerunner. More on this story can be found on BBC.
