Come Back With Your Shield

Whether it’s concealable protection like Premier Body Armor’s Everyday Armor T-shirt, vests like the Hoss Level IIIA Soft Armor System from WarBird or Level IV plates like those from BulletSafe, there’s body armor for everyone.

The advantages of body armor—once perceived as a law enforcement or military exclusive—are being embraced by the civilian self- defense community faster than ever before. In its modern form, it’s effective, lighter, less bulky and more affordable. Shooting Illustrated asked a pair of experts why the sudden surge in demand.

“The public’s perception of body armor has shifted significantly over the past two decades,” according to Alex Stewart, president of Premier Body Armor. “Twenty years ago, body armor was primarily associated with law enforcement and military personnel.”

“Over the past decade, however, the public has grown much more receptive to civilian use of body armor,” said Matt Davis, who launched Armor Express in 2005, left it in 2022 and just this year established WarBird Protection Group. “After all, it’s a lifesaving product that can keep people safe in any number of dangerous situations. Many tradesmen must travel into undesirable places for their livelihood. They’re finding that a concealable vest can give them a great deal of assurance.”

Demand among civilians for body armor was gaining traction slowly, with demand increasing incrementally after well-publicized criminal action. Then, COVID-19 struck, and the disease affected law enforcement, whose duties require regular contact with the public—each a potential carrier. Social unrest followed, and first responders in many areas found themselves struggling to respond. 

“High-profile incidents of violence and terrorism did play a role, but equally important was the growing recognition of the right to self-defense,” Stewart said. “Additionally, the riots and increasing lawlessness in cities like Portland and Seattle, where entire neighborhoods were taken over and law enforcement’s hands were tied, underscored the importance of being prepared and self-reliant. These events, combined with a greater emphasis on personal rights and responsibilities, have spurred a broader acceptance of body armor among civilians who see it as a fundamental component of their ability to protect themselves and their families.”

Davis said there’s another factor fueling sales. “Civilian use of body armor often gets thrown into the Second Amendment political debate, but these are lifesaving products and it’s unreasonable to make any case against them,” he said.

Mainstream media habitually vilifies self- defense guns and gear, particularly when it comes to body armor where it continues to echo a concern law enforcement abandoned long ago. “Most law enforcement representatives understand the need for body armor by law abiding citizens,” Davis said. “Their approval seems to have shifted with COVID and the unrest that followed.”

“We have received positive feedback from law enforcement regarding civilian ownership of body armor,” Stewart confirmed. “Many officers, especially those who strongly support the Second Amendment, recognize that responsible, law-abiding citizens wearing body armor can be an additional layer of protection in dangerous situations.”

In the 1970s, Davis’ father—a Marine and pizza shop owner—developed the first modern, concealable soft body armor after he was shot during a criminal attack. “After inventing soft body armor, he convinced police that it was a viable product the only way he knew how,” Davis said. “He shot himself in the chest while wearing it. In an age without the internet, he had to do these live-fire tests again and again in front of police groups all over the country.

Today’s versions are also vastly improved over early iterations, another reason body-armor demand is rising. It’s lighter, thinner, available in modular systems, flexible, easy to put on or take off, comfortable and even integrated into other products, including packs, cases and more. It’s also more affordable than ever, making it even more popular among law-abiding citizens.