[Veratyr]

Also an Australian. I have a feeling this may not make much sense to Americans.

Bulletproof clothing only protects you against bullets (well it protects against knives too but you can buy less expensive slash/stab resistant clothing). In Australia there is virtually no gun violence. The only people who can shoot you are cops. They will only shoot you if you're doing something that justifies being shot at. Therefore, the only reason you'd need bulletproof armor is if you intend to do something that would justify the police shooting at you.

Encryption on the other hand has legitimate purposes. It's quite possible for someone to say steal all your money by intercepting your bank account login and it requires no special, heavily restricted equipment to do so.

[Joakal]

There's Bikies/Gangs who do drive-by shootings.

[ACow_Adonis]

True, but without commenting on the merit/justice of it, they've historically focused on targeting themselves/each other.

[RyJones]

Most bulletproofing that you would wear that isn’t actually armor is not stab proof.

Also, it’s trivial to make effective rifle armor out of AR500 steel, Rhino Liner (or other bed liner) as a spall guard and a nylon/Velcro plate carrier which will not tax a third year cosplayer in the least to sew.

[IgorPartola]

It just occurred to me that lots of cosplayers are really good seamstresses.

[RyJones]

My youngest is into cosplay, and seeing the amount of work that goes into a costume that may only be used for a half day one time is impressive.

[tomjen3]

>The only people who can shoot you are cops

And ISIS, as has been shown in France.