Americans bulletproofing their cars amid fear over violent crime uptick

WASHINGTON (TND) — Americans are continuing to take steps to protect themselves from violent crime, suggesting many believe it is out of control and not just a narrative being spun up by the GOP.

The latest example of Americans becoming increasingly concerned about violent crime is a reported increase in people spending thousands of dollars to bulletproof their cars.

"Ten years ago, it was the richest of the rich that were mainly concerned about their business," Armormax Founder Mark Burton told Fox News this week. "Today, that's gone down the economic pyramid. You have doctors, you have lawyers, you have real estate agents, you have developers, you have the average Joe, I can say, that are spending some money to protect themselves in their vehicles."

Burton said it used to be politicians and CEOs, mainly international ones at that, for whom he was doing his work for, but "now we're bulletproofing Honda Accords," he told the New York Post.

Burton told The Post he started noticing the trend around 18 months ago, and it is becoming so popular, he has started noticing recurring zip codes.

The cost to bulletproof a car varies, but can reach prices of up to $90,000, Armormax's website indicates. Bullet proofing a car's windows alone can cost between $3,000 and $20,000 based on various criteria, according to J.D. Power.

"I think post-COVID things changed," an Armormax client from Las Vegas who got his Mercedes G-Wagon fully bulletproofed recently told The Post. "Big city crime, road rage, shootings, carjackings. I drive my car down to The Strip every day, there’s been a lot of incidents here. I feel safer. It was well worth it and I would do it again."

But it isn't just people's propensity to bulletproof their vehicles that illustrates Americans' fear over rising violent crime in the U.S.

Gun sales have also increased, and many people are also turning to private security to protect their neighborhoods.

READ MORE: "Philly gas station owner hires private security with body armor, rifles to combat crime"

Gun sales, which eclipsed amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Joe Biden's first year in office, remain near record highs never seen before, according to a January report from the National Rifle Association (NRA).

With firearms killing more people than automobile accidents in 2021, the uptick in personal defense measures is no surprise.

"Democrats know their cities aren’t safe, but would rather blame Republicans than fix the problem," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Republican Jim Jordan tweeted.