Bullet-proof backpack marketed to students put to the test

"They advertise that it will stop a nine millimeter, that it will stop about 90 percent of the weapons that have been used in school shootings," says WIRK producer Tim Burger, "In this day and age you have to talk about and it was just some information we wanted to bring to our listeners."

So the radio station went to Gator, Guns and Archery in West Palm Beach, strapped the backpack to a stand and enlisted experienced gunman John Patrick to fire the shots.

Does he think the backpack will stand up to the challenge?

"It looks like it is, but we're gonna soon find out."

The backpack is only about 15 feet away.

John starts out with a nine-millimeter handgun.

Then a 45 caliber, and finally, WIRK producer Tim Burger takes a shot with a 38 caliber.

Afterwards, they check the holes on the outside, and look for penetration on the inside.

Patrick says, "I thought it held up exceptionally well, and it didn't penetrate it, just bulged the backside, and I was very impressed with it."

"The 45 was a little bit of an extreme," says Burger, "I personally didn't think it was going to stop it, and it ended up holding its own."

John says any injuries to the person wearing this backpack would be minimal.

"Oh I would say it would knock your breath out, but that's better than the
alternative."