Ballistic shield
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2010) |
Ballistic shields are shields designed to stop or deflect bullets fired at their carrier.
Although modern ballistic shields are specifically designed to protect against handgun, long gun, and shotgun projectile threats, many will additionally protect against most types of stabbing or cutting-type weaponry, and hand-thrown or mechanically launched projectiles such as rocks and arrows. Reputable ballistic shield manufacturers design and produce ballistic shields to be in compliance with specific government ballistic protection levels, including those promulgated by the United States National Institute of Justice (NIJ) ballistic materials test protocol NIJ-Std-0108.01,[1] which destructively tests free-standing armor configurations with projectile threats appropriate to design capabilities.
Mission compatibility is an important consideration when determining which shield design is most appropriate to provide protection against the anticipated threat(s). Also of importance is whether the shield will be used for defensive and observational purposes, such as tactical clearing operations by a SWAT team, or patrol operations requiring an armed response to neutralize an active shooter. In the article titled "How to Buy Personal Shields",[2] the author questions shield use purpose, "Will policy authorize shield use during offensive duties and/or multiple dangerous patrol duties such as vehicle stops, building searches, and approaching possibly armed individuals? Or will policy dictate purely defensive shield usage such as perimeter establishment, observation, and slow clearing operations?"
Ballistic shields may have features such as clear armored viewing ports, ambidextrous handles and spotlights for use at night.[3]
See also
References
- ^ Stewart, James K., Director, US Department of Justice, Technology Assessment Programs, September 1985
- ^ Armellino, Rick. (08 March 2010). "How to Buy Personal Shields". PoliceOne.
- ^ Bhatnagar, Ashok (2016). Lightweight Ballistic Composites: Military and Law-Enforcement Applications. Woodhead Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 978-0081004258. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018.
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