Are Level 3 Plates Enough for Active Shooter Protection?
Over the past few years, active shooter incidents have become a grim reality that both law enforcement and civilians need to be ready for. Whether at school, the workplace, or in public places, the possibility of an active shooter is a threat that everyone needs to consider. Because of this, personal protective equipment (PPE) has never been more crucial. The Level 3 plate is among the most popular types of body armor used in such situations.
Law enforcement officials, the military, and civilians who want to protect themselves during an active shooter attack also favor Level 3 plates. Protect yourself with the Chase Tactical MEAC Active Shooter Kit—shop now for premium Level III armor plates and unmatched security!
Body Armor Levels
Before discussing the details of Level 3 plates, it is important to know the various levels of body armor protection. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) provides guidelines for ballistic resistance, and body armor is divided into different levels depending on whether it can withstand certain types of ammunition. The main levels of body armor are listed below:
Level I: Protects low-velocity handguns, .22 LR,.380 ACP, and 9mm.
Level II: Shields are normal at 9mm and 357 Magnum ammunition.
Level III: Meant to defeat high-velocity rifle rounds such as the 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO rounds.
Level IV: Can defeat armor-piercing rounds and high-caliber threats .30-06 AP.
Level 3 body armor is the most popular among these levels for people who want protection against rifle rounds fired from high-powered rifles. One must address nuances before assuming that plates labeled Level 3 will offer adequate protection in the event of an active shooter attack.
What Are Level 3 Plates?
Level 3 plates are hard armor inserts generally constructed of ceramic, polyethylene, or composite materials. They are placed inside a soft armor vest or plate carrier and provide added protection from more dangerous threats than can be handled by soft armor alone.
The most significant strength of Level 3 plates is that they will stop rifle high-velocity rounds, including the 5.56mm NATO round fired from the AR-15 and the 7.62mm NATO round fired from the AK-47. They are most typically utilized by active shooters, including in mass-casualty situations.
Level 3 plates are generally rated to stop rounds of up to 2,800 feet per second (fps), the velocity of most high-velocity rifle ammunition. They are thicker and heavier than soft armor choices but are the best compromise for enhanced protection.
Are Level 3 Plates Enough Protection For Active Shooters?
To get an idea about whether they’d be sufficient under an active shooter scenario, let’s look into some important parameters:
1. Threat Level of Active Shooter Situations
Active shooter attacks usually have the perpetrators using an array of firearms, some of which are equipped to shoot armor-piercing or high-velocity rounds. In most cases, the ammunition type determines the amount of protection required.
Level 3 plates may be used for a range of standard rifle rounds, but not always.
For example, armor-piercing rounds like the M855 5.56mm NATO are meant to penetrate body armor. Depending on the plate’s construction and the type of round being fired, these rounds may bypass Level 3 plates.
High-powered hunting rifles also pose a possible threat. 308 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield-chambered rifles, employed in most hunting situations, can produce significantly higher energy levels than typical military-grade ammunition. In certain situations, Level 3 plates might not be sufficient to protect against such ammunition.
In an active shooter incident, one needs to take into account which weapons are generally used by assailants and make sure the armor being worn accommodates those threats.
2. Multi-Hit Capability
The other consideration is the multi-hit capability of Level 3 plates. Although the plates are rated to neutralize a single shot from a high-velocity round, there is no assurance they will do as well when struck repeatedly in a short time.
In a real-world situation, active shooters will usually target areas of the body covered by armor, including the chest and torso. In such situations, Level 3 plates may be hit multiple times. Unless the plates are multi-hit resistant, their performance may be reduced after the first hit.
The construction and thickness of the plate also influence its ability to withstand multiple hits. Some recently introduced composite and polyethylene plates are made to withstand multiple hits. Still, ceramic plates, as effective as they are, tend to crack or shatter upon multiple hits and become useless when hit numerous times.
3. Level 3 vs. Level 4 Protection
While discussing protection in a high-risk environment, it is also important to consider the difference between Level 3 and Level 4 plates. Level 3 plates provide good protection for most standard rifle rounds but are not intended to stop armor-piercing or higher-caliber rounds such as .50 BMG.
Level 4 plates, however, are engineered to protect against such high-caliber threats. They provide better defense against standard rifle ammunition and penetrating rounds intended for body armor piercing. For people who work or live in an environment where they are likely to face armor-piercing rounds, Level 4 plates could provide greater peace of mind and security.
4. Comfort and Mobility
The second factor to consider when choosing body armor for an active shooter is mobility and comfort. Although Level 3 plates provide good protection, they are heavier and larger than lower-rated armor. This can make the wearer less mobile, making evacuating or finding cover more challenging.
Speed and mobility are critical in active shooter situations. Police officers and civilians wearing heavy armor might have difficulty moving quickly through small areas or taking quick action. If speed is paramount, the added weight of Level 3 plates could be a compromise that one must consider seriously.
Conclusion: Are Level 3 Plates Enough Protection?
Level 3 plates provide substantial defense against a wide variety of hazards typically found during active shooter situations, especially from typical rifle cartridges such as the 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO. However, these plates are not invincible and possess some vulnerabilities, such as their inability to resist armor-piercing projectiles and their potential susceptibility to the effects of multiple hits.
In high-risk situations where an attacker is confronted with advanced weaponry or armor-piercing bullets, one might want Level 4 protection for maximum protection. Secondly, comfort is also an important factor of body armor that should always be considered, as heavy plates can inhibit a person’s freedom of movement and be unable to move fast and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of ammunition can Level 3 plates stop?
Level 3 plates are intended to defeat high-velocity rifle rounds, including 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO rounds. However, they might not be effective against armor-piercing rounds or larger-caliber rounds.
Do Level 3 plates stop multiple shots?
Level 3 plates can stop multiple shots, but their performance will reduce after every impact, particularly if made of ceramic materials, which can crack or break after being hit numerous times.
Are Level 3 plates adequate for personal protection?
Level 3 plates offer good protection in most active shooter scenarios but are inadequate against armor-piercing ammunition or larger calibers. For ultimate protection, look at Level 4 plates.