NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 million U.S. dollars has been spent for the purchase and installation of window film at U.S. school districts nationwide -- the film is attractive to school officials because it is a fraction of the cost of bulletproof glass. However, it always doesn't work, reported The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday.
"The largest U.S. manufacturers of window film, including 3M, say it can't stop bullets or intruders. But that hasn't stopped some window-film dealers from cashing in on false or exaggerated claims of ballistic protection," noted the report.
Some window-film dealers impress school officials with live demonstrations that show the film stopping bullets. Darrell Smith, executive director of the International Window Film Association, says that is a trick done with low-powered guns or bullets and a thicker, outdated glass most schools don't have, according to the report.
"The largest dealers in the industry say there is still plenty of money to be made by dropping bulletproof claims and sticking to the broadly accepted idea that window film can slow attackers trying to shoot their way in, buying precious minutes for help to arrive," it said.
The window-film industry started in the 1970s to reduce energy costs and offer bomb-blast protection. It has since evolved into a shield against storms and intruders. There is a valid opportunity to save lives to sell it as a delay for forced entry but not for stopping bullets, it added. ■
