BulletSafe says its new Bulletproof Bandana protects the wearer's face and neck from handgun bullets. (Photo: BulletSafe)
A new invention by a 12-year-old in Michigan could offer ballistic protection for officers' faces and necks when they are in dangerous situations such as active shooter response.
BulletSafe Bulletproof Vests says Michael Nardone, son of company president Tom Nardone, was 9 when he came up with the idea for the BulletSafe Bulletproof Bandana.
“It protects your neck, your upper chest, and your lower face from bullets.” says Michael. “It looks cool too. You can duck down into it like a turtle or stick your neck out of it to be friendly and talk to people.”
Michael says this idea combines his ski mask and the body armor made by his Dad’s company. He and his dad started building prototypes. “It was like Goldilocks, this one’s too big, this one’s too small, this one’s just right.” says Tom Nardone.
The BulletSafe Bulletproof Bandana weighs 1.8 pounds and is easy to put on, the company says. BulletSafe says the bandana, which is made of the same material as the company's soft body armor, will stop almost all handguns rounds including a .44 Magnum. It is now in production and lists for $129.
The Nardones hope police officers keep these bulletproof bandanas handy and deploy them under dangerous circumstances. BulletSafe also plans to show the design to the U.S. military.
Michael says he would like to see a few things happen. “I can’t wait to get the patent with my name on it. Then I hope it saves some lives. I’m also going to get some royalties. Some of the money will go to my college fund and I get to spend the rest.”
