Is a Bible Bulletproof? Unpacking the Truth Behind the Trope

For decades, movies and TV shows have perpetuated the idea that a simple item tucked into a pocket – a bible, a notebook, or even a phone – can stop a bullet. But is there any truth to this? Let's delve into the science and history to separate fact from fiction.

The 'Pocket Protector' Trope in Pop Culture

The concept of everyday objects saving lives from bullets, often called the 'pocket protector' trope, has been a cinematic staple since Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps (1935). This trope appears in modern films like The Legend of Zorro, Sleepy Hollow, White House Down, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. It's even been parodied, highlighting its cliché status.

Historical Accounts: Miracles or Misinterpretations?

A quick search reveals numerous accounts of miraculous bullet stoppages throughout history. Bibles are often cited, with stories dating back to the 17th century. Theologian Richard Baxter wrote of soldiers in the English Civil War saved by bibles in their pockets. Union Soldier Walter G. Jones reportedly had his bible stop two bullets in separate Civil War battles.

During World War One, a bible purportedly stopped a bullet on the verse 'I WILL PRESERVE THEE.' More recently, in 2022, a Ukrainian soldier claimed a bible stopped a bullet on a passage about pressing on toward God's calling.

Examples of Reported Bullet-Blocking Incidents:

Richard Baxter (17th Century): Multiple accounts of soldiers saved during the English Civil War.
Walter G. Jones (U.S. Civil War): A bible stopped two bullets in separate battles.
World War One Soldier: Saved by a bible landing on the verse 'I WILL PRESERVE THEE.'
Ukrainian Soldier (2022): Claimed a bible stopped a bullet during the Ukraine War.

The Science of Stopping Bullets: What the Experiments Say

Numerous experiments have tested the ability of everyday objects to stop bullets. Mythbusters tested lighters and playing cards, which failed. They found a hardcover book of at least 400 pages might offer some protection against a .22 rifle shot, but nothing more powerful.

In 2018, the Oklahoma Police Department tested school textbooks. Two textbooks stopped a handgun round, while three were needed to stop an AR-15 round. These tests suggest that while a stack of books can halt a bullet, a single pocket bible offers minimal protection.

Key Findings from Experiments:

Lighters and playing cards offer no protection.
A 400-page hardcover book might stop a .22 rifle shot.
Two textbooks can stop a handgun round.
Three textbooks can stop an AR-15 round.

Factors Influencing Bullet Stoppage

If small books are generally ineffective at stopping bullets, why are there so many accounts of it happening? Several factors could be at play:

Older, Less Powerful Guns: Historical accounts often involve less powerful firearms.
Indirect Trajectory: Bullets may ricochet off other objects, reducing their speed and lethality.
Shrapnel vs. Direct Hit: Shrapnel, while dangerous, is often slower and less direct than a bullet.
Deflection vs. Full Stop: An object doesn't need to stop a bullet completely to provide some protection.

Beyond Bibles: Other Fortuitous Saves

Bibles aren't the only items to have purportedly blocked bullets. Actor James Doohan (Scotty from Star Trek) was saved by a silver cigarette case during World War II. Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt in 1912 when a bullet passed through his glasses case and a speech before lodging in his chest muscle.

However, not all stories have happy endings. Confederate soldier William Preston Mangum was only saved from instant death by a bible, but died a week later from his wounds.

Conclusion: Probability and the Power of Anecdotes

Is it possible for an object to stop, slow, or deflect a bullet, preventing a fatal injury? Yes. Is it likely? No, not at all.

The prevalence of these stories stems from the fact that sensational accounts of 'bulletproof bibles' are more memorable than stories where everyday carry items fail. Given the frequency of shootings, improbable events will occasionally occur, leading to seemingly miraculous escapes.

While the idea of a bible stopping a bullet makes for a compelling story, the reality is far more complex and often depends on a confluence of factors rather than divine intervention.