this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2024
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Ironically neither does a mask?
Not a balaclava, but there are goggles and full-face masks that offer some protection. And even a balaclava is better than nothing against rubber bullets and bean bags.
I have been shot with a bean bag. Balaclava isn't going to do shit. I was wearing a leather coat and almost my whole torso was deeply bruised.
It doesn't help that cops purposefully misuse those types of guns. If I recall correctly, they're supposed to "bounce" the round off the ground and into the target, reducing the total amount of force hitting the target since some of the impact will be reduced from the first impact on the ground.
The number of cops who just shoot people straight with these things point blank is too god damned high. However, you can still get deeply fucked up, even if they're using it "correctly."
not just straight at people, they have caught police, on video, intentionally getting within arms reach and shooting at the head.
Is that how you inspired your username?
I wish.
I didn't say it wouldn't leave a bruise. Even solid armor plates won't stop that amount of kinetic energy without leaving a mark. But having soft padding between the projectile and your skin will reduce the abrasion and force of low-angle impacts. "Better than nothing" in this case means the difference between a deep bruise, and a deep bruise under potentially an open and bleeding wound.
I am saying that something as weak as a balaclava would not even accomplish this. If you have ever seen people get hit by these wearing hoodies, and the like, you will see they tear right through that shit like it isn't even there. This is like trying to reduce the trauma of a hammer blow with a sheet of paper.