Guest OpEd by Roger Clark, Executive Vice President at PS Furniture, Inc.
The world is changing and can sometimes be a dangerous place.
Over the years, as shootings have become a part of the regular news cycle, there have been a bevy of products developed to help keep people safe without turning places like churches, schools, and offices into jail-like fortresses.
Many innovators have risen to the challenge of addressing the reality of our world, developing products such as bulletproof backpacks and door security devices to quell school shootings.
As the Executive Vice President of PS Furniture in Mequon, Wisconsin, I have substantial experience in equipping spaces with flexible furniture.
Our Revolution Shield® Flip-Top Table, featuring Amulet® Ballistic Barriers from Amulet Protective Technologies, which were recognized with Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Three Years Running, in the 2019, 2018 and 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs, is equipped to stop bullets fired from a handgun
The Revolution Shield® Flip-Top Table is the world’s lightest handgun-rated table and redefines most people’s perception of flexible furniture.
(NEW and patent-pending, “Revolution Shield™” Flip-Top Tables are designed to resist bullets fired from a handgun. Our patented Revolution® tables have always been amazingly lightweight – literally 2/3 lighter than traditional particleboard or MDF tables of the same thickness. Now the Courtesy of PSFurniture and YouTube.)
According to Statista Research Department, handguns are the most common weapon type used in mass shootings in the United States, with a total of 145 different handguns used in 97 incidents between 1982 and May 2021.
Handguns are also easier to conceal. The Revolution Shield table’s design addresses this choice of weapon head-on.
Since 2013, more than 300 school shootings have occurred, and active shooter incidents have increased exponentially over the years.
The introduction of handgun bullet-resistant furniture offers an invisible layer of protection that people can count on as they go about their day. When flipped down, the table becomes a wall of defense.
The bullet-resistant shield is designed to flip down in seconds, offering near-instant protection in the case of an active shooter incident.
Students and teachers are taught to shield themselves behind desks and under tables during the incidents, such as the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The standard desks and tables used by schools do not have the ability to stop bullets from handguns, offering little in the way of true protection.
The Revolution Shield table differs from other bullet-resistant furniture products because of its extreme lightweight and mobile (on wheels) design.
The table is two-thirds lighter than high-pressure laminate particleboard tables of the same dimensions. Even with its lightweight design, the table can withstand multiple hits from gunfire and is ricochet resistant.
The table also offers a cutout modesty panel that provides extra protection in an active shooter situation.
When a critical situation arises, time is of the essence.
Products developed to stop bullets need to be deployed at a moment’s notice.
The Revolution Shield table transforms at the push of a button, allowing near-immediate protection.
The lightweight design makes the table easy to move and transport.
There is no denying the changing world around us. Shootings happen, and mass shootings are a fact that we grapple with in this country with every passing year.
The introduction of innovative products such as the Revolution Shield Flip-Top Table is a way to combat the epidemic of active-shooter situations with ballistic furniture.
By having options to protect ourselves and those around us, we regain a measure of control in tough situations.
About the Author
Roger Clark is the EVP of PS Furniture and a graduate of NorthWestern University with an MBA in finance/marketing. Before PS, he was a product director for Johnson and Johnson.
Mr. Clark has been the President/CEO of PS Furniture since 1998 and oversees business development, operations, and marketing for their organization.
Amulet Protective Technologies Recognized in Three Consecutive ‘ASTORS’ Awards
American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is today in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
American Security Today is pleased to announce TSA Administrator David Pekoske, will join the organization as a featured speaker at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Presentation Luncheon, on November 18, 2021 at ISC East in New York City.
“On the heels of an unprecedented global pandemic, continued unrest in our cities and potentially catastrophic cyberattacks on our nations critical infrastructure, the focus of the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon will be on the latest, state-of-the-art innovations that are driving investments in new public security and safety technologies and systems,” said AST Editorial and Managing Director Tammy Waitt.
“As a recognized expert in crisis management, strategic planning, innovation and aviation, surface transportation and maritime security, David Pekoske’s message highlighting his top priorities and challenges for the TSA based on his years of wide-ranging experience will be critical to our attendees internalizing the critical nature of these escalating challenges, and realizing innovative new approaches to meet them.”
The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | COVID Innovations |
| Workforce Management | Government Security Programs | And Many Others to Choose From! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Register for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today
At ISC East 2021 you with the opportunity to interact with a broad array of security industry professionals.
Legendary Police Commissioner Bill Bratton of the NYPD, the BPD and former Chief of the LAPD, will join the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon on November 17th, to sign copies of his new book ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America’.
ISC East works closely with other businesses in the security and public safety space to help bring together the Northeast’s largest security trade show each year.
In collaboration with premier sponsor SIA (Security Industry Association) and in partnership with ASIS NYC, ISC East is proud to work with and be supported by various associations, trade publications, charities, and more.
Therefore, the ISC audience of security dealers, installers, integrators, consultants, corporate, government and law enforcement/first responder practitioners will be joined by the ASIS NYC audience of major corporate managerial-through-director-level national and global security executives.
The combination of one-on-one conversations with the industry’s top innovators, integrators and security executives, special events, high-quality education and training, and strong support from industry associations, will allow attendees to learn and evaluate solutions from leading security exhibitors and brands.
With the integration of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo, the show is moving even further into our reader’s wheelhouse!
Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to both ISC East – and NDEM!
Thank take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to take a break from the show – Invite your team, guests, clients and show visitors to a lovely and affordable plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!
Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table.
***Early Registration Discount Ends November 1. Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
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For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, and the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
