The Most Depressing Christmas Gift Guide of the Year
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Bullet Blocker, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer, is offering a line backpacks that children can cower behind in case of a school shooting. The crown jewel of the collection, the company's <a href="http://www.bulletblocker.com/bulletblocker-nij-iiia-bulletproof-child-safety-backpack.html" target="_blank">Bulletproof Child Safety Backpack</a>, is currently on sale for $199 and looks almost exactly like a standard Jansport daypack. The key difference is that the BulletBlocker can protect children from a madman wielding a <a href="http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-98642741707334/results.html" target="_blank">9 mm Luger or a .44 Magnum</a> handgun.<br />
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For children who don't want a boring black backpack, Bullet Blocker also makes a selection of inserts that can fit into any bag.</p>
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Amendment II offers a more colorful solution: stylish children's backpacks with hidden body armor panels. Their "<a href="http://www.amendment2.com/shop/ballistic-backpack/" target="_blank">Ballistic Backpacks</a>" retail for $300 and up, and feature Disney Princesses for the girls and the Avengers for the boys.</p>
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For parents who want even more peace of mind, Amendment II also has child-sized <a href="http://www.amendment2.com/product-category/ballistic-products/" target="_blank">bulletproof vests</a>. Available in a selection of festive colors -- as well as the traditional green and desert camouflage -- the vests start at $499.</p>
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On the other side of the gun, the NRA and the firearms companies that support it are offering their own Christmas gifts. For $15, parents can buy their children a <a href="https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp#" target="_blank">junior membership</a> that comes with a shooter's cap, a membership card, a decal, and a subscription to <a href="https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/mags/insights.asp" target="_blank"><em>InSights</em></a>, a monthly digital magazine that features "fun-filled, action-packed coverage of safety, achievement and excellence in the shooting sports."</p>
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Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/post406/1316051377/sizes/s/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Jeff Egnaczyk, Flickr.com</a></p>
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Parents who want their children to have a more hands-on experience might consider the impressive selection of "youth" handguns, shotguns and rifles offered by <a href="http://www.crickett.com/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=7lo0bc4a1dph6kpftveotfhu57" target="_blank">Crickett Rifles</a>, <a href="http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?cid=035&tid=248&fid=023B&cattype=035248" target="_blank">Browning</a>, <a href="http://www.remington.com/en/product-families/firearms/compacts/compact-centerfire.aspx" target="_blank">Remington</a>, <a href="http://www.berettausa.com/products/al391-urika-2-youth/?keywords=youth" target="_blank">Beretta</a> and a host of <a href="http://www.ocshooters.com/Gen/kidshooting/youth-firearms.htm" target="_blank">other companies</a>, sized for smaller fingers and lighter frames.</p>
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Or here's another Christmas option: Call your <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/senate-assault-weapons-ban-newtown" target="_blank">senator and congressman</a>, let them know your feelings about assault weapons, and leave the beginner firearm lessons to <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Story-Two-Disc-Special-Edition/dp/B0000AYJUW" target="_blank">A Christmas Story</a>.</em></p>
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Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottchene/6900897312/" target="_blank">TRF Mr Hyde, Flickr.com</a></p>
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<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/top-toys-gallery/" target="_blank" title="View this gallery live">The Hot Toys Your Kids Actually Want for Christmas</a></p>
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<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/holiday-gifts-that-give-back/" target="_blank" title="View this gallery live">Holiday Gifts That Give Back</a></p>
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<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/christmas-quiz/" target="_blank" title="View this gallery live">I'll Be Broke for Christmas: The Holiday Cash Quiz!</a></p>
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<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/seven-gifts-for-your-weirdest-friends/" target="_blank" title="View this gallery live">Seven Gifts for Your Weirdest Friends</a></p>
