Turkish company develops bulletproof backpack for school safety

An Ankara-based company has developed a bulletproof school backpack designed to protect children during armed attacks. According to project employee Mehmet Evci, the material is capable of stopping 9mm, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and 5.56mm ammunition, while also providing protection against shrapnel and sharp objects.

In an emergency, the backpack is intended to be held in front of the body like a shield. The product was developed in response to two recent incidents in Turkey: a shooting in Kahramanmaraş in April that killed nine people, and an attack in Turgutlu in September that injured eleven students.

To ensure the product does not draw unwanted attention, the company avoided a military design. The backpack adds approximately 300 grams of weight compared to standard bags. It is currently available online for approximately $150 and is marketed as a voluntary, preventive option for parents.