Giant purses save lives!

Posted Nov 11th 2008 at 11:32AM by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)

(Click the photo to see more Amazing Stuff That's Stopped Bullets)

Women carry over-sized purses for a few reasons. First of all, they're stylish, but coming in a close second is the usefulness -- we can fit everything we need in there! But now, there's a new reason to carry a big, giant purse. It just might save your life.

Twenty-two-year-old college student, Elizabeth Pittenger, was carrying half her life in her bag when a man stopped her, demanding her laptop, purse, and cell phone. She refused and fought him off, but before she could get away, he fired a shot.

Amazing stuff that's stopped a bullet

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Elizabeth wasn't injured, but her purse didn't fair so well -- the bullet was found inside the bag, along with a calculator, umbrella, and small case that had been punctured. Nearby police heard the gunshot and were able to apprehend the shooter almost immediately.

And so, the moral of the story is this: A trendy, over-sized bag won't just bring your style back to life, but might also save your life one day! Maybe that's why the Olsen twins carry such giant bags. It cuts down on bodyguard expenses.

Wondering what else you should be carrying to stop bullets? Check out our gallery of suggestions, and then, start shopping!

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Tags: bag, bullet, expire-images2009-11-11, giant, handbag, huge, lifesaver, over-sized, purse, robber, safety, save lives, SaveLives, trend

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Avon Rep 11-11-2008 @ 1:06PM

Cosmetics, toys, clothes, etc
www.youravon.com/cfelder

LNelson 11-11-2008 @ 1:04PM

"Girl's" life saved...I thought I was going to read about a child, not a 22 year old! A very, very stupid adult 22 year old. Not giving up her purse to an armed robber! She could be dead! Let's not make light of her stupidity. The "moral" of the story is doing just that, joking about large, full purses saving lives. She was just plain stupid.

SHUT UP ALREADY 11-11-2008 @ 1:24PM

Get a life . Why does it have to be about a child to have compassion. Regardless of her judgment ....I am glad of the outcome. HER LIVE WAS SPARED. YOU DAMN MORON. GROW UP.

Chris 11-11-2008 @ 3:14PM

Someone should shoot you for your stupid comments LNelson. Someone like you shouldn't have the priviledge of surviving a gun shot. Just shut your damn mouth moron.

kel 11-11-2008 @ 1:16PM

This dumb b*tch just got lucky!!! Bullet coulda gone right through that purse

Tayesbrickman 11-11-2008 @ 1:37PM

I know where this was. At MTSU in murfreesboro, tn, Every week I hear about crime on their campus. It sounds like they need to step up security. Murfreesboro, is not as safe as it appears.

Ashley 11-11-2008 @ 1:20PM

I actually know this "girl" because she's my sorority sister at the university we attend. In no way is she "stupid." She was not aware that the robber was carrying a gun at the time of her attack. It wasn't until after he yanked the cell phone out of her hands that he pulled out the gun and randomly fired at her while running away. She's extremely lucky and we all know that. But believe me, this robber was an idiot because this girl does not take crap and I'm glad she put up a fight! Just goes to show how tough girls can be.

joe 11-11-2008 @ 1:20PM

she wasnt stupid, people like you who dont fight back are stupid. Its because people dont fight back that criminals get away with everything these days, if more people were like her and fought back the world would be a safer place.

karen 11-11-2008 @ 1:29PM

A thought: on 9/11, the passengers of the flights that crashed into the twin towers cooperated with their captors; those of Flight 93 did not. Yes, they all died, but since that time, how many airline disasters have been averted because everyday ordinary people are now stepping up and saying, "NO!" to criminals? The Flight 93 passengers sure taught me a lesson. Since when do criminals deserve our cooperation? We're all going to die some day anyway; it's how you live and what you take a stand for while you're here that counts.

jim 11-11-2008 @ 1:36PM

You are so right! The whimp that pulls a gun on me to rob me better be willing to use it in a hurry and be a real good shot because he's only going to get one shot if that.

Missy 11-11-2008 @ 1:48PM

Maybe it wasn't the bag at all. Ever think that it could have been a small clutch and had the same result. Sounds to me like she had a higher power watching out for her. God is way bigger than any purse, maybe we should be thanking him instead of an oversize purse.

Gabe 11-11-2008 @ 2:03PM

All of the preceeding comments are well taken, but how many thought that possibly the bag large enough to contain an office might have been the reason for the incident?

Lana 11-12-2008 @ 1:32PM

My thoughts exactly.

Linda L Steelman 11-11-2008 @ 2:07PM

hooray for brave sturdents and big purses, but think first about saving your life befor tempting a armed robber.
your granny wisdom.

maria 11-11-2008 @ 2:14PM

wheres your head girl you worry about a stuip big bag rather then your own life get out of town girl your cookoo

Lana 11-11-2008 @ 2:34PM

maria ....it was not the bag she cared about...if you had read the story, you'd realize she had her LAPTOP in there. You know, personal data, projects, etc....you'd probably fight back too.

Lana 11-11-2008 @ 2:31PM

LOL what a crock, maybe if she wasn't carrying her LIFE in that bag, she wouldn't have drawn so much attention to herself as a potential target! I'm glad she's okay and the robber didn't get away, and I give her props for her bravery, but man...only carry the essentials if you can!

Mary 11-11-2008 @ 8:04PM

As a college student, I was often on campus from early morning until well after dark. I too, had to carry 'my life' around campus with me, as I rode the bus to and from school and could not go home easily. Do not mistake this for being 'stupid'..It is a necessity at times. I do agree that fighting back is not always the answer...At 5 foot zip, and not much over 100 pounds soaking wet, I doubt I would have fought back successfully, had the same thing happened to me. However I can understand why she did fight back...to most college students, a cell phone, laptop and palm pilot are not easily replaceable items...textbooks also cost money to replace....not to mention the wallet and its contents...I am just glad this woman is all right after this incident.