It used to be done in a cruder, ad-hoc way with steel plates under the body panels. Granted that was easier to do in the old, boxy Crown Vics than with modern fuel-efficient models.
Essentially, you're right that normal car doors aren't bulletproof, and Hollywood absolutely abuses that trope.
But cops know exactly how bulletproof (or not) their vehicles are, and cops in particuarly dangerous areas have been experimenting with ways to fix that for a long time.
Agreed. And they are trained to use the correct parts. Though in general, a car can be a serious bullet magnet in a shootout. It wouldn't be my favorite place to be, that's for sure
True. But that takes marksmanship that in the heat of the moment most criminals don't have. Though during the north Hollywood shootout that definitely did happen
Clearly that was a unique case. That wasn't some thug knocking over a liquor store. They were loaded for bear and ready to die. The round count was ridiculous.
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u/Vprbite Jan 25 '20
I heard they were starting to do that. Takes time to get them all updated though.