Episode Transcript
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(00:31):
Welcome to Defensive SkillsChannels, season One, episode
two.
Today we will be talking aboutwhy should civilians own Body
armor.
My name is Joe, and I'm yourhost today, April 1st, 2025.
For questions or comments, youcan email us at
info@defensiveskillsacademy.com.
(00:54):
Body Armor is traditionally usedby the military law enforcement.
Security personnel and someothers.
Many civilians want to own bodyarmor for various factors
ranging from personal safetyconcerns to the desire to be
prepared for any unpredictablesituation, which may arise at
(01:15):
any time.
You could look at that now whenyou see the people burning
Teslas and causing violence atTesla dealerships.
One of the primary reasons whycivilians should consider owning
body armor is the enhancement ofpersonal safety.
In today's world, the threat ofviolence is something that is
(01:38):
real more now than ever before.
Body armor can provide an addedlayer of safety, and for some,
it will give them a little moreconfidence when they need to
protect their loved one.
Body armor can provideprotection from firearms, mostly
pistols.
It could provide protection fromknives.
(02:01):
However, most vests cannotprotect you against an edge
weapon if the person is slashingyou.
When you're wearing a vest andsomebody's actually.
Going and slashing motions withthe sharp object, it's going to
slash those fibers.
However, when you push intosomebody wearing a vest, those
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fibers group together, and it'slike strong a steel, so it's
gonna be hard to penetrate andmost can protect you from other
weapons, including blunt typeweapons.
For those people living ortraveling through or working in
a high crime area, this would bean excellent investment,
especially if you're workinglate at night with the frequency
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of active shooter events inpublic areas like schools,
malls, and outdoor events hasunderscored the importance of
personal protection while lawenforcement does respond to such
threats quickly in most areas.
Civilians are often in the firstline of defense, so why
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shouldn't they own body armor?
In addition to safeguardingagainst active shooter events,
body armor can be a vitalcomponent of a broader
self-defense strategy.
Those who believe in beingprepared for unforeseen
circumstances, including naturaldisasters or civil unrest.
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May find body armor to be animportant investment.
It does serve as part of acomprehensive emergency
preparedness plan that includesother items such as food,
medical supplies, and otherself-defense tools.
Now we need to consider thelegal aspects of own and body
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armor.
Owning Body Armor is legal inPennsylvania.
If you are not assisting anyonein a crime and not committing
the crime yourself, now owningbody Armor in New York State is
illegal even for Law abidingcitizens, and it is considered
to be a Class E felony In NewYork, A Class E felony is the
(04:20):
lowest felony someone can becharged with.
So that you understand what itmeans to be charged with a Class
E felony.
Be aware of other crimes thatfall under Class E felonies,
drug possession, certain typesof assault, fraud, and other
non-violent crimes.
If I'm not mistaken, a class Efelony in New York state.
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If convicted could get you twoto 10 years.
And upwards of a$10,000 finejust for protecting yourself or
using a tool to protectyourself.
'cause that's all Body Armor is.
It's a tool that you can use forself defense so that you don't
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get hurt.
You can Google any of this.
I'm familiar with Pennsylvaniaand New York because I lived and
worked in both states servingthe public.
I still serve the public, but ina more controlled environment.
Again, check in your area to seeif owning body armor is legal or
not.
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With the advancements intechnology, body armor has
become more accessible andaffordable for civilians.
Modern materials such as Kevlar,dyneemia, and ceramic composites
offer lightweight and effectiveprotection without the bulk and
weight of traditional armor.
This accessibility enables morecivilians to benefit from
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protective capabilities of bodyarmor without the significant
financial burden.
Body Armor serves as a vitaltool for safeguarding
individuals in high risksituations, offering protection
against a variety of physicalthreats, including bullets,
stabbings, and punctures.
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Just so you better understand ifyou're not familiar with it.
Manufacturers categorize bodyarmor into different types and
levels of protection.
This is based on specificthreats in encounters such as
handgun rounds, rifle rounds, oredge weapon attacks.
We'll talk more.
(06:33):
About the different types ofbody armor, as well as which
levels are set by the NIJ, whichis the National Institute of
Justice.
By the end of this, I'm hopingyou will have a clear
understanding of how differentvest function and which
scenarios they're used in.
Knowing this will allow you tomake a better informed decision
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when it comes to purchasing bodyarmor.
This episode is brought to youby Dynamic Tactic Firearms.
Whether you purchase fromdynamic tactics or have it
shipped to the shopper transfer,you'll always be met with
friendly staff who will help youwith all your needs.
You can contact them via emailat sales@dtguns.com.
(07:17):
That's S-A-L-E-S at D-T-G-U-Ns.com.
Or visit their websitewww.dtguns.com.
Now, moving on, there are threetypes of body armor, hard, soft,
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and combination.
We will not be discussingcombination type vests at this
time.
Let's start off with the hardbody armor.
Serves high threat environmentby providing strong protection
against high velocity bulletsand rifle rounds.
Manufacturer.
Construct this from materialslike ultra high molecular
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weight, polyethylene, ceramics,fiber reinforced composites, and
steel.
The steel they use is AR 15steel.
It's going to hurt, but it willnot penetrate.
The steel users typically insertrigid plates into vest or
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carriers forming a robust shieldagainst more powerful firearms.
Although armor maximizesshielding, the weight, and the
stiffness can limit yourmovement.
Soft body armor, which is thebest for civilians in my
opinion.
Soft Armor is lightweight,flexible, and is good protection
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for low velocity Handgun roundssuch as nine millimeter 40 cal
.357, 38 rounds.
Materials like Kevlar or a midfibers are used to create a
solid, comfortable fit, whichcan be worn under the clothing.
These are also known asconcealable vests.
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These type of vests are mainlyused in law enforcement and
security patrols.
These vests are good forcivilians and are ideal for
everyday use.
They offer a good protection,although limited protection
against high velocity rounds inan extreme threatening
environment.
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The NIJ.
National Institute of Justiceclassified the body armor into
different levels.
Being aware of the differentlevels is crucial for selecting
the right one for you.
For example, most civiliansshould be wearing a level two A.
Low velocity pistol rounds suchas nine millimeter, 40 caliber
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Smith and Wesson 38.
That vest is good to stop thosetypes of rounds.
It's lightweight, flexible, lowthreat use, or there should be
wearing a level two, which is amedium velocity pistol round,
and is good protection for,again, nine millimeter, 40
caliber, 3 57 Magnum.
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And it's a moderate protection,lightweight, and you can wear it
longer.
Level two A is basically forhigher velocity rounds, such as
a 3 57 SIG 44 Magnum hasbalanced protection.
It's discreet and flexible.
A level three, that's good forrifle rounds, 7.6 2, 3 0 8
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Winchester.
However, it's bulkier with hardplates.
Used in high threat situations,it's also very heavy.
Can't imagine walking aroundwith that all day long.
The bottom line, choosing theright body armor requires
careful consideration of factorssuch as threat level, comfort,
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mobility, and visibility.
When looking for body armor,make sure the armor you pick is
NIJ certified so that you knowit provides your valuable
protection for the wearer.
In conclusion, while the notionof civilians owning body armor
may initially raise eyebrows, itis a concept worth considering
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in the context of personalprotection and preparedness.
Body Armor provides enhancedprotection against violent
threats, contributes to grapplewith issues of security and
safety, the practical benefitsof civilian.
Body armor ownership becomesincreasingly apparent.
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It is proactive measure thatempowers individuals to take
charge of their own protection,providing peace of mind in this
unpredictable world.
Legal disclosure.
This podcast has discussedvarious levels of body armor
classified by the NIJ, nationalInstitute of Justice.
(12:06):
The information provided here isfor educational.
And informational purposes onlyand should not be considered
legal advice in any way.
Always consult with a legalprofessional regarding the
regulations and laws applicablein your jurisdiction concerning
the ownership and use of bodyarmor.
(12:28):
The opinions expressed in thispodcast are of those of the host
and do not reflect the views ofany organization or institution.
The host is not liable for anyaction taken based upon the
information provided.
In this episode, listeners areencouraged to conduct their own
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research and seek professionalguidance to make informed
decisions about body armor andpersonal protection.
The safety of individuals is ofutmost importance, and proper
training and knowledge areessential when using any form of
protective gear.
This podcast does not endorse orpromote illegal acquisition or
(13:12):
misuse of body armor.
Ensure compliance with alllocal, state, and federal laws
when purchasing and using bodyarmor.
Thank you for listening.
Stay safe and make informedchoices.