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Gun control groups have condemned a new “bullet-proof hoodie” which claims to protect against street violence.
The £300 Defender hoodie makes the wearer’s upper body invincible to every bullet up to a high velocity rifle, its makers claim.
It was developed by Bladerunner, a London based company which also makes stab-proof tops.
Barry Samms, the owner, said that a mother from Walthamstow, East London, had asked for the Defender after her son had been mugged three times.
“Our current customers range from undercover police officers to concerned parents,” he said.
But gun control groups said today that the company was practising “exploitation at its most grotesque”. They predicted a rise in gang violence, saying children would buy the hoodie as a status symbol.
Raymond Stevenson, a spokesman for Don’t Trigger, an international anti-gun campaign based in Brixton, London, said: “It’s not helping kids to provide them with bullet-proof armoury. These companies are just encouraging the escalation of the urban warfare.
“It’ll give people the false impression that they’re protected and will encourage more aggressive behaviour.”
The hoodie weighs one kilo, only slightly more than a normal version. It can be bought with the Bladerunner logo – but without it there is no indication of its capabilities.
Mr Samms denied his firm was targeting teenage gang members with the invention. “It’s only a hoodie because you can’t really put a zip across the front of something bullet-proof,” he said.
“Adults wear hoodies too. My mum wears one and you don’t see her hanging out on street corners.”
But Adrian Davies, a partner in the company, admitted that the item could encourage people to become involved in crime.
“We don’t want to be arming gangs,” he told Times Online. “But we can’t investigate everyone who places an order.”
Mr Davies said that Bladerunner had received more than 100 emails this morning from people asking about the hoodie. “Our website’s had 3000 hits just on that product,” he said.
The hoodie is currently in the prototype stage, but will be on sale in the next four to six weeks, Mr Davies said.
Last week Gordon Brown was forced to defend Harriet Harman, the Deputy Labour Party Leader, after she wore body armour to tour her South London constituency. Ms Harman claimed she did so as "a matter of courtesy", and compared it to wearing a hard hat while visiting a building site or a hair net in a meat factory.
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Doesn't anybody think this might be just a clever trick to get publicity?
Mark, Phoenix,
But guns are banned across the pond are they not? How can you have gun violence? Are you saying that banning something does not make it hard to get? Maybe Canada should take a hint...
Nick, cali, cali
You can buy online a top of the range vest and wear it under you longdale chav hoodie. Same difference. IThis product, it only has a detachable vest inside of it. It is completely stupid.
Nicholas, Athens, Greece
Oh, please, tell me you'll ship to the States! I mean, you really ought to. After all, with firearm possession completely illegal in the U.K. there should be no market at all for them there, right? No guns and all does mean just that right? So why on earth would one care to need a bullet-proof anything where there are no guns? Just silly don't you think? I, on the other hand live in Texas. In Texas law abiding citizens are allowed firearms, as in the rest of the U.S., because defense of one's self, loved ones and innocent third persons is considered a moral imperative. Not just criminals have guns here. In the U.S. firearms prevent more crimes by far than they are used to commit, but that doesn't "bleed", so it doesn't "lead". Media and government are historically uncomfortable with the idea of individual liberty, and hand in hand they monger disinformation to strip rights away. They'll love you right to death! It is illegal for criminals to possess either guns or body armour here.sold
John Heather, Dallas, Texas
Wait a minute??? They have gun violence in England?? How can that be guns are illegal?? Oh that's right Gun control only hurts those that abide by the law.
Stick, Sacramento, California
Ms Harman should buy one of these. It would look good on her during constituency walks.
M. Cawdery, Portadown, UK (if it now exists)
Right, so because an item offers protection from bullets it must be bad and encouraging gun crime...
I suppose that the usual calls for bans will be next. Seriously, if an individual wishes to purchase something for personal protection, let them. Flak jackets can't be used to hurt anyone. I find it quite amusing that these anti-gun groups would prefer a shooting to end in death rather than a bruise and some broken ribs.
Should we ban seat belts in cars because they encourage reckless driving? How about the NHS, because it encourages people to be careless with their health by providing free medical care?
This is just another example of the anti-gun hysteria that grips this country. It's unfounded and unnecessary and has only made the problem worse as evidenced by the increases in gun crime after the so called gun bans.
TC, London, UK
just a sales gimmick. If it were effective why don't the army have something similar?
I wouldn't like to demonstrate it on a firing range.
Just some kevlar in the fabric won't stop a bullet.
D.Henry, Edinburgh, Scotland UK
Makes sense to me. Of course, allowing citizens firearms to defend themselves and serve as a deterrent to crime makes even more sense.
Wilson, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
It's already almost obsolete. Laser pistols are just around the corner, that will burn a hole through that hoody and set you on fire.
Clive, Monterrey, Mexico
Free market capitalism at its best.
David, Plymouth, Devon
Oh well, that means the gang members will just be shooting each other in the groin from now on then.
Pete, St Albans, England
I want to buy one.
I think that we all should.
Jason Mead, Bristol, England
I want to buy one.
I think that we all should.
Jason Mead, Bristol, England