Parents who are back-to-school shopping for their children may find a new item at school supply stores – body armor.

Some local stores in New Jersey will now sell bullet-resistant backpacks for parents and students who are worried about the dangers of gun violence in schools.

The president of Guard Dog Security says that this is the first time bullet-resistant backpacks will be available at mass retail stores. The bullet-resistant portion is in the back of the backpack.

Edison resident Kenya Washington has a 7-year-old daughter in school. She says that the fact that these backpacks can be purchased in local stores is concerning.

“When you’re a kid, you should be having fun. Your concern should not be getting shot,” Washington says. “To me that’s something that police officers worry about, military. But I have to worry about crayons and glue and math...but now kids have to worry about getting shot."

But others say that in today’s climate, it may not be a bad idea to be prepared.

“I would hope that my grandson would never need something like that. I’m a former teacher. I’m retired, so it might be a good idea,” says Edison resident Linda Tsirikos.

The backpacks retail for about $120 in stores. They can be found online for a cost of between $100 and $400.

According to Guard Dog Security’s website, a portion of the bullet-resistant backpack sales will go to benefit the nonprofit organization Make Our Schools Safe.