Why aren't kevlar vests more popular?

[Telly Savalas]

If the world is such a dangerous place that you have to be armed to protect yourself, wouldn't a logical and prudent complement to packing a gun be to wear body armor everywhere you go?

[soothsayer]

1. you mean like dumbya?

[BlooInBloo]

2. Obviously it depends on who and where you are, but accurate snark noted :)

EDIT: One other obvious qualification would be along the lines of the spirit contained in the cliche "the best defense is a good offense".

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. They itch?

Or, perhaps they make you sweat and get stinky?

[Warpy]

4. I live in the desert, so no thanks.

I can imagine how one would smell after a couple of weeks in July.

I guess I'll just take my chances.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. hot, heavy, ask any cop.

they have this love/hate relationship with them.

[merh]

11. exactly

and the chaffing.

[merh]

6. if someone wants to kill you

they can shoot you in a main artery in your leg or they can shoot you in your head.

kevlar vests provide some protection

The two cops I know that were killed by a crazed shooter (they were responding to a domestic incident where the young gun nut took a girl he was enamored with hostage) were killed when the bullets from his high powered hunting rifle went through their cars and into the main artery in their thigh/leg. They bled out before other units could respond.

[sutz12]

7. I thought they were illegal except for very special permits...like cops only. nt

[Zynx]

8. Body armor is almost completely unrestricted.

You can even get designer body armor that looks like normal clothes if you're willing to pay the money for it.

[havocmom]

16. Well the price is sorta restrictive

Kevlar is expensive

[Zynx]

20. Here we go, legal terms of sale:

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Legal_Terms_of_Sale.shtml

Only illegal for purchase in Connecticut and eveywhere if you are a convicted felon (federal law).

Also illegal to export III and IV without a State Department permit.

[Ready4Change]

13. May depend on your location.

I know there was a motion to outlaw armor in my state. As I'm not looking to buy, I confess I don't know the status of that here, or in any other state.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. How about we all wear anti-bear suits.

In case of random grizzly attacks.

[Gregorian]

10. They still don't come in argyle.

And finding a three piece Kevlar suit is next to impossible. It's just not much of a fashion statement. Hey, look at me. No. More like, hey shoot me, I can take it.

[ComerPerro]

12. Thats a very good question.

[ComerPerro]

14. but body armor doesn't scream "I have a huge penis, honest!" like gun ownership or SUV driving does

[spoony]

15. Or like being tough on the internets does!

[havocmom]

17. ::snortle::

::chuckle::

OK, vodka & tonic on the keyboard.

[ComerPerro]

18. I don't need to be tough on the internets, I have a gun, so I know I am a real man

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. but they can put on a sticker if you wish.

won't hurt the kevlar.

Oh wait. different point.

never mind.

[ComerPerro]

21. the OP's point is that body armor is possibly more effective as self-defense

so why the need for a gun, besides the desire to feel tough?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

22. i know, I was just being curmudgeonly.

look at any old euro city. you see moats, city gates, and defensive walls.
Look up in the hills and mountains. castles. walled, defensive, strategic.

that is the history of mankind. bloody, deadly, sad, worse.

[ComerPerro]

23. too true.