Beware of Phony Labels: Why Transparency Matters in the Body Armor Industry

In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a Notice of Violation to Volkswagen, alleging the automaker had installed software designed to cheat emissions tests. The fallout was massive—guilty pleas, felony charges, and billions in fines.

But the real damage wasn’t just financial. It was the erosion of trust—not just in Volkswagen, but in the entire auto industry. When one company cuts corners, it casts doubt on everyone else.

Unfortunately, the body armor industry isn’t immune from this kind of deception. And when you're selling life-saving equipment, the consequences go far beyond bad PR. In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on recent scandals and showing you why authenticity and accountability matter now more than ever.

When Trust Is Broken: BulletProof-IT and ShotStop Ballistics

Two companies—BulletProof-IT and ShotStop Ballistics—were caught deceiving their customers in ways that directly endangered lives.

  • In March 2023, the owner of BulletProof-IT pleaded guilty to wire fraud. The company had fabricated ballistic test results and falsely claimed its low-quality armor was American-made when it was actually manufactured in China.

  • Later that year, ShotStop Ballistics was forced to shut down after an NIJ investigation revealed that its “NIJ-certified” products contained unauthorized Chinese materials. ShotStop filed for bankruptcy in May 2024.

These weren’t small operations. BulletProof-IT sold equipment to police, fire departments, and even the military for years. ShotStop had support from well-known influencers in the 2A community, helping push products that didn’t meet safety standards.

The Ripple Effect of Scandals

The damage from these incidents goes far beyond two bad actors. They raise uncomfortable—but necessary—questions for every consumer:

  • How many other companies are doing the same thing?

  • Can I trust the labels I see online?

  • Who’s actually making this armor—and where?

This kind of betrayal creates confusion, fear, and skepticism, especially for consumers buying direct-to-consumer online. That’s why National Body Armor puts transparency, testing, and truth in labeling at the heart of our operations.

National Body Armor: Built on Truth, Backed by Testing

When a customer straps on one of our vests, they’re putting their life in our hands. That responsibility is not something we take lightly.

✅ American Manufacturing You Can Trust

All of our armor is proudly made in the USA. We don’t white-label imported gear and call it domestic. Our supply chain is 100% traceable, and our products are assembled, tested, and shipped from right here in the United States.

✅ NIJ Certification That’s Real

Our products undergo rigorous testing in NIJ-certified labs to meet or exceed the latest standards (including NIJ 0101.06). We don’t just “meet the standard”—we prove it with our labels.

✅ Labels That Actually Mean Something

  • Made in the USA – Never imported. No gimmicks. No re-labeling.

  • NIJ Certified – Officially tested to meet the strictest ballistic performance standards.

  • Berry Compliant – Approved for use by the U.S. Department of Defense, ensuring domestic sourcing and manufacturing (specialty items)

Our Promise to You

We know there are companies out there cutting corners. But at National Body Armor, we’ve built our reputation by doing the opposite. We invite you to ask questions, check our certifications, and hold us accountable. We don’t just want your business—we want your trust.

Because when your life is on the line, there’s no room for uncertainty.

Let us show you why we’re different. Explore our NIJ-certified, American-made, and fully transparent body armor solutions—designed to protect what matters most.

National Body Armor — Engineered to Save Lives.

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