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September 22, 2022
Guest Blogger: Emily Johnson
As a parent, one of the many things we worry about (and there are a lot) is our children’s safety. When I was a child, the idea of a school shooting in the United States was far from my mind. In fact, it didn’t even exist.
And, after a recent conversation with my father, I found out it was something that he never really thought about either. But today it is at the forefront of my mind, as I’m sure it is for many parents.
Talking to our children about mass shootings is an incredibly personal and complicated conversation to have. I want to start off by saying that I am not a psychologist or medical doctor of any kind. I am simply a parent who, like all of us, is trying to do my best.
I knew my child’s elementary school did active shooter drills. Once the alarm sounds, teachers run to close doors, kids crouch down behind desks or run to the nearest classroom.
Imagine what this must be like for an elementary school student (or anyone for that matter) to experience practicing active shooter drills. I know when my son went through his first active shooter drill (at the age of 5!), he had a nightmare that night. And the questions began the next day: “What does active shooter mean?” “What happens if I’m not in my classroom?” “Will you come find me?” “Why would someone want to shoot me?”
Given that our children practice active shooter drills at school, questions are unavoidable. With social media and news coverage 24/7, it is impossible to shield our children from the subject completely.
And, even if we could, is it the right thing to do? What should I tell my child about school shootings? What do they need to know to stay safe? So many questions!
We all have different parenting styles. Personally, I have chosen to be open and honest in an age-appropriate manner when my son asks me questions about anything.
But what is age appropriate to start the conversation when it comes to school shootings? I have struggled to find a balance between not telling him enough to stay safe and ease his anxiety and telling him too much and increasing his anxiety.
For the most part, I have let my son start and direct the conversation about school shootings. If he asks me a question, I will answer it in the best way I know how. But there are also several times, I’ve been the one to bring up the subject of school shootings to ensure he understands the things he should do and can do to help keep him safer.
Again, I want to stress that I am not a professional and I certainly would never judge anyone for approaching the subject of talking to kids about school shootings differently. Believe me, I’ve researched “what to say to children about school shootings,” hundreds of times and I still struggle.
I’ve told my son that while it's very unlikely, there is the possibility of someone bad coming into his school. I also told him that the school staff are very well trained when it comes to keeping him safe and by asking him questions, I was confident that he understood what to do if an active shooter situation occurred.
For my son, having a conversation about school shootings helped ease his anxiety. With each question I answered, I saw his anxiety ease some. Letting him know that there are adults who will protect him and how they will protect him helped. And giving him a bulletproof armored insert for his backpack and showing him how to use it, not only made him feel like a superhero, but it also helped ease his anxiety and gave me at least some peace of mind.
As my son gets older, I know this conversation will have to change. And in all honesty, I have no idea what that looks like.
My son asked me after Uvalde, Texas if he could do anything to prevent a school shooting. This provided an opening to a conversation that I had been struggling to have. I want my son to be aware of how school shootings happen, without him feeling like it is his responsibility at the age of seven to prevent one.
I have told my son to report any threat immediately and never be afraid to tell an adult about something. “But what if it turns out to be nothing?” he asked. I told him that was fine. A teacher would know what to do and if it’s nothing, no harm done.
I have told my son to be aware of his surroundings – a good life lesson for anything. For example, if he sees an outside door isn’t properly closed, let a teacher know.
I have had the conversation about tattle tailing, as all parents have probably had. When I was a school age child, this was simply “don’t tell on each other.” Now that conversation has become more “don’t tell on each other unless…” Trying to ensure my son knows that there are a handful of things that should be told to an adult has resulted in several conversations to ensure that he understands the difference between tattle tailing and making an adult aware of a real threat.
“If you hear anything about a gun or weapon, you tell a teacher immediately.” “If someone seems angry or sad, you tell a teacher immediately.” “If someone threatens you or the school, you tell a teacher immediately.” I’ve told him that if he is honest or believes he is, he will never be in trouble for telling a teacher or adult anything.
For me, a conversation about bullies was a separate one that circled back to school shootings and gun violence. Bullying has always been an issue in schools and unfortunately with the rise of social media is becoming even more so. I do not remember bullying being at the level it is today when I was a child.
Bullying may not be the only reason someone decides to act violently against a school, but it is certainly often a contributing factor as we have been told. Bullies are everywhere – even in the adult workplace – and it’s important that my son learns how to deal with them.
It’s a life skill that often is learned from experience and, if it won’t cause irreparable harm or become physical, I don’t intervene in those instances. I simply make sure my son feels free to talk to me about it.
However, the old saying “ignore them and they’ll go away,” isn’t in my opinion applicable today. If someone is bullying or being bullied it can be a sign that something worse is coming. And how often have we heard “we missed the signs”? I’ve told my son it is not tattling tailing to tell an adult that he or someone he knows is being bullied.
There is no perfect way to discuss school shootings with our children to ease their stress. As parents, even if we don’t think we know, we instinctively know how best to talk to our children about difficult subjects.
The thing is we can’t be afraid to do it. It doesn’t matter how you have that conversation. It matters that you have it.
Is it fun to talk about school shootings? Absolutely not! Should we have to? Absolutely not! Do we have to? Absolutely!
It’s not perfect, but it’s something we can control and even a little control can help bring about at least some peace of mind both for us and our children.
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I bought the carrier, and it arrived within a few days. I was happily surprised by the low weight, and rugged construction of the Alpha Carrier. I put a level 4 plate in both front and back, both of which fit like a glove. The sizing was easy to adjust, and the one size fits most is true of this product. Huge adjustment range. Very impressed by the Fortis Alpha Carrier, along with everything I have ever ordered from Premier Body Armor. Great job, guys!
After wearing my full body armor for 30-years, it isn’t conducive to under cover plain clothes work that I do now and it is so hot to wear during the summer. I put this armored t-shirt on and it fits like a glove, but is not uncomfortable. The first day I wore it alone, but the second day I wore a form-fitting micro fiber tank top under it and it really felt good. I actually had no wetness because the bottom top absorbed it. It was a warm day, but nothing like sweating intensely with full body armor. I ordered a second carrier shirt to switch out for washings. With my gear on and plain black tactical shirt, I am so much more comfortable on my feet for long hours. I should have bought this years ago.
As someone with extensive experience wearing a wide variety of body armor in the military, law enforcement, and physical security industries, I know firsthand the challenges of balancing protection, comfort, and concealment. The Everyday Armor T-Shirt has exceeded my expectations on all fronts.
This is by far the most comfortable body armor option I’ve ever worn. The lightweight design and breathable material make it ideal for all-day wear, whether you’re on duty or just out running errands. It’s so well-concealed that it doesn’t print, even under a fitted shirt, making it perfect for discreet protection without sacrificing mobility.
What sets this apart is how seamlessly it integrates into daily life. Unlike traditional armor that feels bulky or restrictive, the Everyday Armor T-Shirt feels like part of your everyday wardrobe while still providing reliable peace of mind.
If you’re looking for everyday protection that doesn’t compromise comfort or discretion, this is an outstanding choice. Highly recommend!
PBA is awesome. I own 3 backpack panels from them. I own panels for Vertx ReadyPack, Eberlestock Fade Sling, and now the Fade Adapt.
The Fade Adapt panel is huge. Fits snug into the backpack and covers a lot. Mainly gonna be used for traveling and camping. I feel comfortable carrying it knowing I'll have a huge panel to hide behind.
Thanks again PBA for the great products.
When it comes to armor, if you want something light so you can be quick and/or carry more ammo, med supplies, etc., and still want the best protection… get these. Sure they’re not level 4… but they cover the most likely rounds to be used in an urban environment. Quit thinking Level 4 is the best and get these, you’ll be thoroughly impressed. Hell even my 10 year old loves them! Would be great for their backpack too.
Love this new little sling with the panel in it beautiful exactly how it describe on the website
Have always worn soft armor, generally in outside carrier working law enforcement and military. Needed to up protection from rifle fire. Did not want heavy steel plates. Polyethylene the ticket for weight and protection. The Fortis III+ very nice. Light, 3.4 lbs each, multi curve, comfortable, have protective coating, fabric, nice. I put them in a Agilite K19 carrier. Overall more comfortable, easier to move than the outer carriers and soft armor I have worn before. Weight is crucial in extended wearing of vest, especially when adding pouches, ammo, radio, etc. These plates really help in reducing weight and no compromise on protection. The price was a factor along with quality and protection level. These plates nailed it, don't know how you could get anything better for this price. Company is legit, background In manufacture sold me also. You will not be disappointed in the Fortis III+ multi-curve plates.
I’ve put it to use on the job as an AEMT and it does it’s job well. It keeps me at more of a peace of mind knowing I have a bit of protection going to calls and it doesn’t get in the way of my patient care.
First, I want to thank the customer support team that helped me with my return. The first sling pack was way too small. Y’all suggested another one that was larger. It was a perfect size and I love the way it hugs my body. Second, love the way your body armor fits in the sling pack. It’s a perfect pairing. Now let’s talk about the combo. This has to be one of the nicest packs I have ever bought. Honestly I didn’t know much about the Viktos brand. WOW!! Very nicely constructed. I love the fact I can put in my side x side while out on the ranch. It holds everything that might be needed.
Again thank you to everyone. Pease keep up with quality products like this. You have a customer for life! Thank you!
James Moffat
Caballo, NM
Fantastic Product - Armor Fits like a Glove. Also, it was very convenient to get the bag with the armor.
While it inherently seems a little bit silly to armor a fanny pack, premier and VertX are a perfect match as always. And silly or not, now I've got an extra layer of 3A soft armor to throw over one of my children, sling across my chest, etc if ever needed. It's big enough to protect vitals, and my gun rides in the socp pack as well. This is a great setup for short walks and hikes, or summertime on the boat
By far the most concealable body armor I own. I am 5’11 and 155 lbs. I got a small and was so worried that the armor wouldn’t be concealable since I’m on the thinner side, but I was dead wrong. I had a hoodie ready to throw on in order to show it concealed further, but there would be no point. You can’t see anything with this size SMALL under-armor polo on…that’s actually impressive premier. Great job.
I have wore the product multiple times now and have received many compliments on the fact that you can’t hardly tell I’m wearing it. Also it is very comfortable in comparison to other similar products on the market. I’m very happy with the product.
Fit as described quality products from a American family company.
Great shirt. Very discrete to wear. Proud to support and American company
Patrick Pratt
October 27, 2022
Always be aware of your surroundings. Listen to your gut. If you think something is wrong then it most of the time is. Be safe know where you are and who your with. Have a plan if things get bad.