With school shootings looking like common occurrences at U.S. schools, it has come to a point that parents are worried about the safety of their kids that they think bulletproof backpacks are now a necessity likes books and pens. With the opening of the new school year, an Israeli company stands to benefit from this new development.

Masada Armour, a company based in Israel that makes protective equipment is a certified supplier of the Israeli ministry of defence Israeli police, international defence industry companies and civilian companies, got the product they need --- a bulletproof backpack that can be easily deployed in two seconds.

The company has brought out the bulletproof backpack in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting in Florida early this year and aware of the mass shootings that occur at U.S. educational institutions. They design, which is simply called the “Protective Backpack” transforms into a front and back bulletproof vest.

The company describes the product as is designed for regular college student, like carrying books, laptop and other stuff. The vest part is closed in separate section of the backpack and it cannot be seen during regular use.

As for the options, the basic Protective Backpack which costs US$500 weighs around 3kg and this can stop 9mm rounds. For higher level of protection an option that costs U$700 can protect rounds fired from rifles such as the AR and Kalashnikov rifles and weighs around 5kgs.

At present the Protective Backpack is too heavy for children. The company is working on a lighter model that can be carried by younger students together with their books.

According to the Times of Israel, the company is getting hundreds of orders and they are now ramping up  their production to 500 units per month.

It is disheartening to note that parents in the U.S. will need to spend more for the protection of their children rather than devote the money for their educational needs. It is a situation that can be avoided, but for now that is the reality in the U.S., schools are magnets for shooters and students the easy targets.

Masada Armour are not the only makers of a bulletproof backpack. Previously, we featured the Leatherback Gear bulletproof backpacks that are more affordable than the Protective Backpack.