Several companies will retrofit just about any vehicle to any degree of armoring. Search "armored vehicles". Digging around, I'm seeing a low end of US$37,500 for a used VW Passat 4Motion armored to match the implied scenario (9mm, 12ga, etc.). Prices fast go well into 6 digits, depending on how serious the attackers are and how valuable the occupants/cargo are. Yes, standard options include much "James Bond" material.
And, considering other replies, yes thinking about how to protect oneself from such random events is worthwhile and a normal (if not universal) response to tragedy.
Does any one else find it sad the question is about bullet proof glass and not controlling guns?
The last place I was that someone I knew had bullet proof glass in their car was Colombia. Are the American's here happy with this comparison on public safety?
Rational cost/benefit analysis is probably that you should learn first aid, carry a trauma kit in your car (trauma dressings, seat belt cutter, glass breaker, etc., accessible to the driver and secured in a crash), and have a cellphone and map of where the nearest trauma center/ER are. That would protect you just about as much in most shooting situations, and in the 10000x more likely vehicle accident (yourself or someone else).
Not only is this the inappropriate time, but you're pulling answers out of the air. You have no idea what you're talking about. This whole discussion is patently absurd.
A man was just murdered in his car while driving down a public road. This is not a concern any of us should have to deal with, but devastatingly, it is a statistical anomaly that has impacted his family's life. Should we get in to the statistical probabilities as well? Should we dig in to the physics involved?
How about we honor his death by simply acknowledging that of all the crazy aspects of this event, the most important is the loss that everyone involved is suffering and leave it at that.
A man was just murdered in his car while driving down a public road. This is not a concern any of us should have to deal with, but devastatingly, it is a statistical anomaly that has impacted his family's life. Should we get in to the statistical probabilities as well? Should we dig in to the physics involved?
Why not? The article did. Your emotional response is completely valid, but don't demand that everyone feel the same way that you do. Worrying about one's own safety is also a completely normal and human response to hearing this kind of news.
How about we honor his death by simply acknowledging that of all the crazy aspects of this event, the most important is the loss that everyone involved is suffering and leave it at that.
I don't think "simply acknowledging" anything is a very helpful response, but if you feel that way, go ahead.
I'm happy to lose karma fighting this fight. It's something that appears lost on the internet, and especially amongst hackers. This is, in effect, standing over his body pondering whether bullet proof glass would have helped. Does it matter? Where is your empathy? Where's your perspective? I don't demand you feel any way, but I will always demand respect for other people, and this entire discussion is distasteful and disrespectful to those suffering loss.
It's fine to wonder about your own security, but have some sense of context. Go do some research and find out what the real best way to protect yourself from events like this is. Go write an article about it and post it to HN. Those are all constructive things to do, but have some respect for the loss here and compartmentalize the discussion a bit.
This is, in effect, standing over his body pondering whether bullet proof glass would have helped.
Distance makes a difference. I don't feel any immediacy to this event or these people.
compartmentalize the discussion a bit.
I definitely agree. Tycho started another thread of conversation instead of responding to anyone here who knew Justin Ferrari. That's about as compartmentalized as we can get on this site.
How about looking to maybe make this an even more unlikely anomaly? How about learning from "our" (society) mistakes?
As a whole, when we hurt our self, should we just be sad and move on and do it again and again, or should we learn and take measures not to make the same mistake?
Random and stupid and pointless deaths like this should be cause for conversation.
I think Tycho is asking where _he_ can get bulletproof car windows from. He's not criticising the dead guy for not having bulletproof windows. And it seems to be a reasonable question if you live in Seattle :(
Fair enough, so I'll suggest this. If you live in a crime-heavy area, accept that your life isn't something you want to risk on a hack (like retro-fitting bulletproof windows to your family minivan).
Securing an automobile against bullets involves some very specific domain knowledge that you're not likely to gain during a weekend project. Specifically, retrofitting your car with bulletproof windows isn't a very good option, because bullets (even a lowly 9mm) can penetrate the thin steel of a car door at close range. Glass capable of stopping the same round will not fit in the channels that support a standard car window, and will be far too heavy for the existing power window mechanism.
Cars that offer protection from bullets are purpose-built, have much more than just bulletproof glass, and weigh a lot more (because of armor plating) than your average automobile, which is going to equate to horrible gas mileage. It's simply not a viable option for most people.
How hard is it to get a car with bullet proof windows?