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Documents |
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| NCJ Number:
|
NCJ 172036
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| Title:
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Body Armor and the Rifle Threat: High Power Threats and Hard Armor
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| Journal:
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Law Enforcement Trainer Volume:12 Issue:6 Dated:(November/December 1997) Pages:34-36
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| Author(s):
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A J Westrick
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| Publication Date:
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1997 |
| Pages:
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3 |
| Type:
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Studies/research reports |
| Origin:
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United States |
| Language:
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English |
| Annotation:
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This article examines the types of weapons that have most often been used to kill police officers and draws implications for the kind of body armor officers should wear. |
| Abstract:
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Officers are killed overwhelmingly by low- and medium-power firearms. Soft body armor provides an effective defense against those weapons. The use of concealable body armor threat IIIA will not defeat center-fire rifle threats, however. Many tactical teams are using level IIA/II tactical vests with optional plates in an effort to protect officers while supplying them with lightweight armor in which they can maneuver. There is a growing need for lightweight (hard) armor that can defeat 7.26x39, .223, and .308 bullets. Although blunt trauma is apparently a non-issue with low- and medium-velocity firearm projectiles on soft body armor, there is evidence that the hydrostatic shock involved with high-velocity (center-fire) projectiles is a survival issue, even if soft body armor could stop high-velocity projectiles. Body armor technologies are progressing at a fast pace toward thinner, lighter, and more comfortable protection. The manufacture of a small, thin, insertable (hard) plate for concealed and tactical body armor will provide a higher level of protection and assist in quelling officer fear of assault weapons. |
| Main Term(s):
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Technology |
| Index Term(s):
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Police safety ; Body armor ; Firearms ; Personal security ; Assault weapons |
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To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=172036
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* A link to the full-text document is provided whenever possible. For documents
not available online, a link to the publisher's web site is provided.
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