Toronto security company develops bulletproof glass to protect against drive-by shootings

As criminals become more brazen and fire bullets through windows and doors - some homeowners are looking for added protection.

A rise in gun violence in Canada has led some home and business owners to seek out new security measures, including bulletproof glass.

Metalex Security Solutions, a Toronto-based company, creates security products for homes and businesses. One of those products is called “rock glass,” which they claim is 200 times stronger than regular glass.

CTV News tested the rock glass in July 2024 by striking it with a baseball bat. It didn’t break.

Now, Metalex says it has developed bulletproof ballistic glass. President and founder Tom Reimer said there is a growing demand for it in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

“This will absolutely stop a bullet,” he told CTV News.

According to Reimer, customers purchasing bulletproof glass for their homes have been victims of extortion attempts or are worried they could be in the future.

“What do you do? Do you leave? Or are you going to do something about it and be proactive?,” he said. “That’s where the ballistic glass comes in.”

CTV News agreed to meet Reimer at a gun range to witness firsthand if the glass would stop a bullet from a 9-millimetre handgun.

“This is a 9-millimetre pistol, it’s a pretty fancy one considering it’s not what most of the criminals are carrying these days,” said Rylan Morey, with the Gagnon Shooting Centre in Oshawa.

Once Metalex’s bulletproof glass was put in position, Morey took three shots, and it stopped all three bullets. None of the bullets were able to penetrate the glass or break through to the other side.

“I’m so happy that it’s done what it was supposed to do. It hung into the frame and there was no movement there,” said Reimer. “This is something you hope you don’t need, but for some people in the community who think they do need it... we are here to help out.”

“This does more than a good job of stopping (bullets) that’s for sure,” Morey confirmed.

Outfitting a home with bulletproof glass could cost thousands of dollars, however, Reimer said for some families or businesses, it may make them feel safer and give them peace of mind.