A new experiment (which may be inspired by the work of 1998 Ig Nobel Prize winner Troy Hurtubise) demonstrates the comparative value of print books:
One of Oklahoma’s nominees for state superintendent of education has proposed a unique idea for protecting students from outbreaks of violence. Bill Crozier, a Union City Republican going against incumbent Democrat Sandy Garrett, said he believes old textbooks could be used to stop bullets shot from weapons wielded by school intruders.
If elected, he said he would put thick used textbooks under every desk for students to use in self-defense.
He gave Eyewitness News 5 a videotape showing he and others shooting weapons, such as an AK-47 and a 9 mm pistol, at books in a field near Minco. They conducted the experiment to see how far bullets would penetrate the books.
So says an October 18, 2006 report by Oklahoma City television station KOCO Channel 9. Here is video of Mr. Crozier demonstrating his idea:
(Thanks to investigator Joe Berg for bringing this to our attention.)