Municipal and Government Buildings Need Bulletproof Glass

In a day and age when people who have a grudge against “the government” can obtain (legally or illegally) a gun and attack a government office or facility, it’s more important than ever to incorporate bullet-resistant glass into the security measures for local, state, and federal government buildings across the U.S. The responsibility for protecting public sector employees and all the essential services provided by the government at all levels makes ballistic glass protective barriers an essential investment into public safety and security.

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The Ever-Changing Landscape of Firearms in Government Buildings

Regardless of anyone’s stance on the politics of gun ownership and gun control, it’s important to understand the extent to which many states have been grappling with their stance on allowing guns to be brought into government buildings. It’s also true, however, that the presence of guns in local and state government buildings is something that can change frequently according to the political priorities of whichever party has the most legislative power at any moment. This ever-shifting nature of the political landscape only heightens the need for all government buildings to address safety and security with bulletproof glass. 

Security Measures for Local and State Government Facilities

When you consider all the different government facilities in use that keep an individual community or state running smoothly to provide all the essential services needed, there’s a lot at stake. City halls, county courthouses, town meetinghouses, police stations, county administrative offices, and so on are all points of vulnerability where citizens interface with their government to get things done. There are two physical aspects to consider when incorporating bulletproof glass into government buildings: Products for the interior of the building where citizens interact with government employees and the exterior windows of the building. Both are important to protect against gun attacks that can originate inside a government building or from the outside. 

Bulletproof Glass Products for Government Building Security

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Creative Industries designs, manufacturers, and installs (or provides installation guidance to contractors) transparent protective barriers for a wide range of applications across many industries, including the public sector. Our expertise and range of products include many that are specifically designed to protect employees while still facilitating their interactions and transactions with clients and customers, including citizens when they need to visit government buildings to get things done. 

Whether it’s taking care of local vehicle registration at city hall, making an appearance at a courthouse, or visiting a police station, there are many instances where government employees interact with the public. Creative Industries has a wide range of bulletproof windows for use inside buildings that protect employees from the threat of gun violence as they serve citizens. These can be combined with a variety of related protective products such as speak-thrus, deal trays, drawers, and pass-through cabinets to ensure effective interactions and transactions.

We are always happy to consult with you on what level of protection you’re most likely to need for meeting your safety and security objectives while keeping the overall cost as reasonable as possible. Our approach is to help you meet the most likely threats you’ll face, not to try to protect against worst-case scenarios, which inevitably results in overspending for a level of protection that will probably never be needed. We can also customize products as needed for exterior bulletproof windows to protect people inside government buildings from gun attacks originating outside the building. These bulletproof glass windows protect both employees and members of the general public who are inside when such a shooting incident occurs.

What Level of Bulletproof Glass Protection is Right for Municipal Buildings?

The answer to this question depends on the type of government building and what level of protection is most likely to be needed. While the federal government and some state government buildings may need the highest levels of protection possible, the same is not true for local government buildings and facilities. There are eight different levels of ascending protection specified by Underwriters Laboratory as follows:

  • Level 1: Protects against a minimum of three shots from a 9mm at a minimum velocity of 1,175 feet per second. A common choice for protection against small-caliber handguns.
  • Level 2: Can withstand at least three shots of .357 magnum soft points at a velocity of 1,250 feet per second. 
  • Level 3: Effectively protects against a minimum of three shots of .44 magnum rounds at a velocity of 1,350 feet per second.
  • Level 4: Can withstand at least one shot from a .30 caliber rifle with a minimum velocity of 2,540 feet per second. Levels 1–3 are linear, but levels 4 and above describe different types of protection, not necessarily whether one is better or worse than one another.
  • Level 5: Protects against at least one full metal jacket round from a 7.62mm rifle with a velocity of at least 2,750 feet per second.
  • Level 6: Resists at least five 9mm rounds at an elevated minimum velocity of 1,400 feet per second.
  • Level 7: Can withstand multiple full metal jacket rounds with a 5.56 rifle at a minimum velocity of 3,080 feet per second.
  • Level 8: Resists at least five shots from a 7.62mm rifle.

Most government buildings at the local level can meet their safety and security needs with Level 3 bulletproof glass products. 

Creative Industries: Your Expert Partner for Safer Government Buildings

 

Anytime a new government facility is being built or a significant renovation of an existing government building is taking place, it’s an opportunity to look at incorporating bulletproof glass products to increase the safety and security for public sector employees and the citizens who interact with them. We often work in close consultation with architects during the design phase of these projects in order to include bullet-resistant protective barriers into the architecture of the plans. Creative Industries has been a family-owned and operated business since the 1970s. The reputation we’ve built over the decades is one based on mutual trust, collaboration, expertise, and excellence in customer service. Learn more about what we can do for you by getting in touch through the Contact Us page of our website or call us directly at 800-776-2068. We’re eager to meet you and discuss how we can meet your security needs!