Israeli military hardware company sees surge in bulletproof backpack orders from worried US parents

An Israel-based company saw a surge in orders from worried American parents for its bulletproof backpacks that are designed for high school students, according to The Independent.

“In two months, we have sold hundreds and are gearing up to increase production rates to 500 units per month,” chief executive Snir Koren told Agence France-Presse.

Masada Armour, which designs military-grade vests, helmets, and uniforms, attributes the bag's creation as a response to the number of school shootings in the U.S. in recent years.

What's the story?

The company designed the bag for daily use to carry books and other school items, but it can also be converted into a bulletproof vest.

It can withstand bullets from handguns, according to the website.

For even more protection, ballistic hard plates can be added to stop bullets from higher velocity firearms, including an AK-47.

The backpack, which weighs just over 11 pounds, was developed to fit teens but the company said it's working on a "lighter model" for younger students.

“We are developing a lighter model for their type of morphology,” Snir Koren told the AFP.

How much does it cost?

The backpack will set you back about $497, according to the company's website.