THE TEST METHODS DESCRIBED MEASURE THE ABILITY OF THE HELMET TO ATTENUATE THE IMPACT AND PREVENT THE PENETRATION OF HANDGUN BULLETS UP TO AND INCLUDING CALIBER .357 MAGNUM. EQUIPMENT WHICH CAN MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS IS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY AND IS SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. PURCHASING AGENTS CAN USE THE TEST METHODS DESCRIBED IN THIS STANDARD TO DETERMINE FIRSTHAND WHETHER A PARTICULAR EQUIPMENT ITEM MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD, OR THEY MAY HAVE THE TESTS CONDUCTED ON THEIR BEHALF BY A QUALIFIED TESTING LABORATORY. LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL MAY ALSO REFERENCE THIS STANDARD IN PURCHASE DOCUMENTS AND REQUIRE THAT ANY EQUIPMENT OFFERED FOR PURCHASE MEET ITS REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THIS COMPLIANCE BE EITHER GUARANTEED BY THE VENDOR OR ATTESTED TO BY AN INDEPENDENT TESTING LABORATORY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)