I’d guess one of the most common reasons for owning and carrying a firearm is self-defense. If someone tries to break into your home or your car, you can shoot them. If someone starts shooting in the bar (or church or classroom) you’re at, you can shoot them, to save your life and the lives of others.

If you expect to find yourself in some place where getting shot seems like a real possibility, why not wear a bulletproof vest? For example, if I was going clubbing in a rough neighborhood, wouldn’t a good kevlar vest be more useful than a glock?

No good against a head-shot, granted. But I’ll bet the data would show those are more rare than taking one in the torso.

Would wearing a vest be less “manly” in some way? Would like to know what percentage of hand gun owners also have body armor of some kind.