This story might have finally convinced me of the benefits of wearing Leather go-go boots…
Two things:
Somehow I would think that the fact that the bullet had just gone through the metal side of the bus would have a lot more to do with slowing it down than a leather boot.
Also, since when do cheerleaders wear go-go boots?
“Boys will be boys.”
I-am-not-a-ballistics-expert-but:
In more “marginal” ballistic conditions, such as lowered velocity, highly tangential angle, small / lowered projectile mass (i.e. fragmented bullet / shortgun pellet), a thick leather garment can make a big difference in either reducing bullet penetration, or preventing furhter bullet deformations that could aggravate the injurry.
Leather jackets have been known to plug-up hollow-points and prevent them from expanding, and also to reduce penetration depth of very light bullets (technically, bullets of lower sectional density), and preventing them from wounding critical structures.
That being said, you’re quite right that a sheet-metal bus-side would take more out of a bullet than a leather boot…
The AL Central may not be the most dangerous division on the field, but good lord! Off the field you better watch it! Fans attacking umpires, base coaches, and now shooting the players.