Textbooks in Backpack BULLETPROOF? (And A Better Alternative)

Published on January 10, 2025
Duration: 2:53

This video tests the ballistic resistance of a backpack filled with textbooks (simulated by 1,200 sheets of paper) against various calibers. While paper offered some protection against smaller rounds like .22 LR and .380 Auto, it was ineffective against a 9mm and completely penetrated by a .223 rifle round. The host concludes that passive protection like textbooks is insufficient for school safety, advocating for active deterrents.

Quick Summary

Testing reveals that a backpack filled with 1,200 sheets of paper can stop .22 LR and .380 Auto rounds, but fails against 9mm (requiring 500 pages) and is completely penetrated by .223 rifle rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Setup
  2. 00:26Birdshot & .22 LR Testing
  3. 00:59.380 Auto & 9mm Testing
  4. 01:46.223 Rifle Test & Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can textbooks in a backpack stop bullets?

Testing shows that while a backpack filled with approximately 1,200 sheets of paper can stop smaller calibers like .22 LR and .380 Auto, it is insufficient against common threats like 9mm and completely fails against rifle rounds such as .223 Remington.

How many pages of paper stop a 9mm bullet?

In the test conducted, approximately 500 sheets of standard printer paper within a backpack were required to stop a 9mm round fired from a Canik MC9L handgun.

What is the best way to add ballistic protection to a backpack?

Improvised methods like using textbooks or paper are ineffective. For genuine ballistic protection, you should use certified body armor plates specifically designed to fit inside a backpack.

Does a .223 rifle round penetrate a backpack full of paper?

Yes, a .223 Remington round fired from a CMMG Dissent rifle completely penetrated a backpack containing 1,250 sheets of paper, demonstrating the inadequacy of this improvised armor.

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