Hardwire’s Follow-up on the New York Times Coverage

Hardwire’s Follow-up on the New York Times Coverage

In light of the recent New York Times article highlighting Hardwire’s ballistic protection products, we wanted to take a moment to share more about what we do and why it matters. We understand that safety is a complex issue, and sometimes a quick comment doesn’t provide enough room to explain things fully. That’s why we’ve put together this article, filled with resources and explanations, to help you learn more about our products and how they can make a real difference.

You can read the original article from 9/18/24 here: New York Times Article.

 

The Hardwire Emergency Response Shield (ERS)

Think back to the days when fire safety was just a line of people passing buckets of water. Then came the fire extinguisher and smoke detectors. Today, we have fire drills, smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and the fire department. The same kind of evolution is needed for active shooter protection, and that’s where our Emergency Response Shield (ERS) comes in. It’s like a fire extinguisher but for gunfire and one part of the needed comprehensive approach. Easy to access in schools and public spaces, it provides immediate defense in emergencies. The ERS is designed to stop bullets from shotguns, handguns, and rifles, giving teachers and staff a tool to protect themselves and their students until first responders arrive.

*Photo of ERS

If you’re curious to learn more about the ERS, we’ve got some great resources for you:

The Hardwire Bulletproof Clipboard

Another product we’re excited about is our Bulletproof Clipboard. It’s lightweight, super easy to carry, and gives you emergency protection wherever you go—whether you’re in a school, office, or even at home. At 1.3 lbs, it’s designed to cover the vital torso area and can stop threats like shotgun and handgun ammunition. It’s one of those simple, everyday items that could make a huge difference if ever needed. Think about how often body armor saves police officers - It's why they all wear it. The clipboard is about the same size. 

Want to see more? Check out the clipboard here.

*Photo of clipboard

Understanding Protection Levels and the NIJ

We know that all the different levels of ballistic protection can be confusing, so we’ve put together some easy-to-understand resources to help explain the differences. Not all ballistic products protect against the same kinds of threats, and it’s important to know what protection you have.

Our Response to the New York Times Article

We want to make sure you have a full picture of what we’re about. Here’s our Instagram comment in response to the article, along with corresponding numbers to resources we have included below:

“At Hardwire, we are innovators and leaders in the armor industry. Our armor solutions are currently used and trusted by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Special, Forces, FBI, U.S. Marshals, and many more in the line of duty (1).  We manufacture cutting-edge ballistic technologies. Our expertise is built on a foundation of proven performance.  Armor saves lives (2). Our products are made from military-grade materials, designed and tested via government regulated third party testing facilities to stop bullets in critical situations according to the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) ballistic standards (3).

 

It is no small feat that Hardwire received the Department of Homeland Security - DHS SAFETY Act designation for our Emergency Response Shield® (ERS®), along with other products, for their effectiveness in protecting against gunfire and bladed weapons(4). We've donated over 1,700 Emergency Response Shields to schools, helping educators and students feel safer (5). We have had a Parkland shooting survivor reach out to us saying she wishes she had our shield that day, and that every school should have them ‘just in case’(6). The ERS provides immediate defense in the hands of those on the front lines of school safety like teachers, staff, and school resource officers(7).

 

We agree, policy change is needed.  Regardless of your perspective on what the right policies are, they take time to implement.   And since our company cannot single-handedly change policy and implement it overnight, we will focus on our superpower, which is stopping bullets.  We do encourage anyone passionate about change to contact their elected representatives.  

 

We don’t claim to solve the school violence issue.  However, we recognize there is a problem, and armor is one concrete action that can help in an emergency.  Like fire safety, a comprehensive approach is needed and we are proud to ensure that reliable, tested protection is available for individuals and schools.

Visit the link in our bio for more information.” - @Hardwire_LLC

 

 

Here are some additional resources that might be helpful if you're looking to dive deeper into the points we mentioned in our comment:

1. Government Contracts & Awards


We’re honored to have earned several prestigious contracts, and while this isn’t a full list, here are a few highlights:

    2. Armor Saves Lives

      Our team gets really excited every time we hear that our armor has made a difference in someone’s life. Our products are built for those who face real danger, like law enforcement and military personnel, and knowing that our armor helps save lives makes everything we do worthwhile. See the stories of those who have survived because of our armor!

      3. Ballistic Test Reports

      At Hardwire, we take pride in creating quality products. Though the NIJ does not certify armor applications outside of body armor, we test our products to the same standards, ensuring they are compliant with NIJ ballistic standards. Below are the ballistic test reports on the products highlighted in the article, tested by government regulated third party testing:

       

       

      4. DHS SAFETY Act Designation

        Receiving the Department of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act designation is significant for users. This recognition means that our Emergency Response Shield® is officially designated as Qualified Anti-Terrorist Technology (QATT).

         

         

        5. Community and School Donations

          We believe in giving back, especially to our local schools and communities. So far, we’ve donated over 1,700 shields to schools, because the safety of students and staff is close to our hearts. We’re a small company, but each donation feels like a big step toward making our community safer.

           

           

          6. Parkland Survivor Advocacy

            Parkland survivor Ivy Schamis reached out to Hardwire saying she wished she had our shield that fateful day. Ivy is now an advocate for our Emergency Response Shield®. It made our team so happy to hear that when Ivy received a shield, she felt so much safer continuing her work in education. You can hear Ivy speak to her experience in the following video, as well as her continued perspective on school safety in the following article:

             

            Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about Hardwire! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out through our Contact Page.

            ‹ Back to Newsroom