Tiffany Haney
In an emergency, it's important to know what to do and what can protect you. While it may seem like a good idea to hide behind walls, doors, and furniture, bullets can easily pass through these objects. However, some household items can surprisingly stop bullets, such as a full bookshelf, a solid wood door, a steel bathtub, and even a 14-pound box of kitty litter. In the video game PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, a pan can block bullets, but it is unclear if this would work in real life. While a cast-iron skillet won't stop a bullet, a standard cast-iron pan may stop small handgun rounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pans can stop bullets | Only small handgun rounds at most range |
| Materials that can stop bullets | Brick, concrete, cinder blocks, paper-filled filing cabinet, full bookshelf, solid wood door, steel or <co: 5,6>cast-iron bathtub</co: 5>, 14-pound box of kitty litter, large stack of magazines, textbook |
| Materials that cannot stop bullets | Most walls, doors, floors, furniture, refrigerator, cast-iron skillet |
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What You'll Learn
Cast iron pans may stop small handgun rounds
In the event of a home invasion, it is natural to wonder what household items can be used as a shield to stop bullets. While most household objects won't reliably stop a bullet, a cast-iron pan may be able to stop small handgun rounds.
A cast-iron skillet, for example, did not hold up against a gunshot in a test by Popular Mechanics. However, it is important to note that the type of bullet and the angle of impact can also play a role in whether a cast-iron pan can stop a bullet. Rifle rounds, for instance, have sufficient velocity to penetrate most objects, including many "bullet-proof" vests. On the other hand, handguns are more commonly used in crimes, and their rounds may be stopped by a cast-iron pan, depending on the angle of impact.
The effectiveness of a cast-iron pan as a bullet shield also depends on its thickness. A standard cast-iron pan may stop small handgun rounds, but it needs to be at least 2 inches thick to be effective. Additionally, the impact of the bullet will likely knock you down and leave a bruise, even if the pan stops the bullet.
While a cast-iron pan may provide some protection against small handgun rounds, it is not a reliable defence against gunfire. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, your best course of action is to avoid the danger and put on hard body armour if possible.
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A full bookshelf or a paper-filled filing cabinet might stop bullets
It is unlikely that a pan will stop a bullet. In fact, most household objects won't reliably stop a bullet. However, a full bookshelf or a paper-filled filing cabinet might.
Firstly, let's consider the bookshelf. While a single book is unlikely to stop a bullet, a collection of books has been shown to provide some protection. In one experiment, a *.380 pistol* was unable to penetrate beyond the second book of six stacked textbooks. Even an AR-15, with rounds traveling at over 3000 ft per second, could not penetrate beyond the third book. This suggests that a full bookshelf of books could potentially stop a bullet, or at least significantly slow it down.
Now, let's turn our attention to the filing cabinet. The effectiveness of a filing cabinet as bullet protection depends on its contents. An empty filing cabinet is unlikely to stop most handgun rounds. However, a filing cabinet full of paper is a different story. Paper is surprisingly good at stopping bullets, and a cabinet filled with paper could provide a significant level of protection. The NYPD conducted a study claiming that a file cabinet stopped rounds from all handgun rounds.
While a full bookshelf or a paper-filled filing cabinet might offer some protection against bullets, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of these barriers can vary depending on the type of bullet, the angle of fire, and other factors. Additionally, each bullet will take out chunks of the bookshelf or filing cabinet, so it can only provide protection for a limited time.
In conclusion, while a full bookshelf or a paper-filled filing cabinet might provide some level of protection against bullets, it is not a guarantee. The best course of action in an active shooter situation is to seek purpose-built cover, such as a panic room, or to wear hard body armor if possible.
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In a car, the engine block and wheels can protect you
In an emergency, a car can provide some protection from bullets. The engine block and wheels are the best parts of a car to hide behind, as they are the most bullet-resistant components of a vehicle. The engine block will protect your upper body, while the wheels and axle will shield your lower body. However, it is important to note that a car will not provide complete protection from bullets, and the effectiveness of this method will depend on the type of firearm, ammunition, angle of fire, and the make of the vehicle.
The engine block has been accepted as good cover and is often the only part of a vehicle that can consistently stop bullets. A .223 rifle bullet fired at an engine block from 25 yards away was reported to have "totally disintegrated". However, the same bullet easily penetrated car doors and wheels at distances of up to 100 yards. This demonstrates that while the engine block can offer some protection, it is not guaranteed to stop all bullets.
The car body, including the doors, might stop bullets depending on the type of bullet and the angle of fire. Auto glass, dashboards, and steering wheels, on the other hand, are unlikely to provide much protection as they may only change the trajectory of a bullet without stopping it.
It is worth noting that most household objects are not reliable bullet stoppers. Bullets can easily puncture walls, doors, and floors. However, brick, concrete, and cinder blocks are effective at stopping most common calibers of bullets.
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A steel or cast-iron bathtub could be an effective shield
In the event of an active shooter situation, your first instinct may be to hide behind the nearest solid object. However, many household objects will not reliably stop a bullet. Bullets can easily puncture most walls, doors, and floors. If you're in the kitchen, a cast-iron skillet might seem like a good idea, but it won't stop a bullet. Most furniture won't either, as there isn't much substance there. A refrigerator won't provide adequate cover, but a full bookshelf or a paper-filled filing cabinet might. A solid wood door is a better option than sliding doors.
If you can make your way to the bathroom, a steel or cast-iron bathtub could be an effective shield. The density and thickness of the metal in such bathtubs may be sufficient to stop a bullet or at least significantly reduce its velocity. However, it's important to note that the bullet's velocity, caliber, and angle of impact will all play a role in determining its effectiveness. Additionally, the impact of the bullet on the bathtub will likely create shrapnel or splinters that could cause injury.
In general, the best option for protection against bullets is purpose-built solutions such as bulletproof vests, panic rooms, or taking cover behind large, solid objects like concrete walls or engine blocks. If you find yourself near a car, position yourself behind the engine block to protect your upper body and in front of the wheels to shield your lower body.
While a steel or cast-iron bathtub may provide some protection against certain types of bullets, it is not a guaranteed defense. The most effective course of action in an active shooter situation is to remove yourself from danger if possible, and if not, to find the best available cover and protect yourself until help arrives.
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Brick, concrete, and cinder blocks can stop most common calibers
In an unfortunate event involving an active shooter, it is crucial to know which materials can act as protective barriers. While fleeing to a safer location is always the best option, sometimes you must make use of whatever cover is available.
Brick, concrete, and cinder blocks can offer significant protection against most common calibers of bullets. A brick wall, for instance, can effectively stop bullets ranging from .22 to a 12-gauge round. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of a brick barrier depends on various factors. These include the thickness of the wall, the type of brick used, and the number of brick layers. While a standard brick wall can stop rounds under 50 caliber, heavier rounds like a 7.62x39mm or .308 rifle may penetrate, especially if the bricks are soft-fired clay varieties.
Concrete walls provide an even stronger barrier against bullets. In fact, if maximum protection from gunfire is your priority, concrete is your best option. Similar to brick walls, the thickness of a concrete wall plays a crucial role in its ability to stop bullets.
Cinder blocks, which are often made from concrete and cinders (a type of volcanic rock), offer substantial protection as well. The concrete in these blocks provides the same benefits as a solid concrete wall, while the cinders add extra density and strength, making it extremely difficult for bullets to penetrate.
It's worth noting that, while these materials can provide significant protection, no barrier is completely impenetrable. The type of bullet and the weapon used are also important factors. High-powered weapons like assault rifles or sniper rifles, when combined with certain types of ammunition, may eventually penetrate even the strongest barriers if fired with sufficient force and accuracy.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of bullet and the material of the pan. A cast-iron skillet, for example, would not be able to stop a bullet. A standard cast-iron pan might stop small handgun rounds at most at range.
Household items that can stop bullets include a paper-filled filing cabinet, a full bookshelf, a solid wood door, and a steel or cast-iron bathtub.
Brick, concrete, and cinder blocks are effective at stopping most common calibers of bullets.
The best way to protect yourself from bullets is to avoid danger and put on hard body armor if possible. If you are in a car, the best areas to take cover are behind the engine block and wheels.
