What Makes a Fighter Bullet-Proof?

[Gorrilian]

As far back as chapter one, Goku has been immune to at least small fire arms (besides intense pain and maybe a bruise). This establishes Goku's freakishly strong nature. Then, when he and Krillin acquire Launch, the two prove pained but otherwise unharmed by her submachine guns. That might have been just a gag. I don't remember many other examples, besides, I think, Roshi and Gohan catching bullets.

Is it ki control that toughens the body? Would Videl, even without refined ki control, be bullet proof and that may be why the cops were so lax with throwing her head first at armed targets?

Considering the cyborgs, could Doctor Gero have created a gun strong enough to pierce a Super Saiyan's body (yeah, I know, the recoil would turn most people into red mist, but lets say he was dumb enough to hand it to 18 or 17)?

Even if Akira Toriyama probably never thought this deeply about it (and remembered), what do you think?

[Herms]

Bora has bullets bounce off him pretty harmlessly, though he seems to brace himself for the impact.

There's probably several factors that can contribute. In chapter 1 Goku attributes his immunity to the fact that his body has been trained to be as tough as stainless steel, rather than anything directly to do with ki, but maybe Grandpa Gohan's training regime incorporated ki without Goku necessarily realizing it. Daizenshuu 7's entry on the Kamehameha does say that Goku might have picked the technique up so quickly either because of his Saiyan nature, or perhaps ki training he received from Gohan.

Even in the Red Ribbon arc, it's taken for granted that a shotgun blast at point-blank range will kill Goku, and White's fancy "Powered Gun" does a lot of damage to Goku and apparently a second shot would have killed, but it didn't seem to hurt No.8 when he shielded him.

[FoolsGil]

I do believe that a Saiyan's body is sturdier than a humans. Goku took an axe to the head even. But then, yes controlling your chi does make you bulletproof.

[Mystic Tien]

Well, Videl was kind of shot in BoG, so I doubt that she would actually be able to tank bullets, if she doesn't use ki to protect herself. As for what makes a fighter bullet-proof? I assume that combination of naturally (or trained) tough body and a good control and use of ki to protect himself may give a fighter a lot of advantage against people using guns and similar weapons.

[DBZAOTA482]

The training in real martial arts like Goku or Kuririn (he took bullets too).

[Son_Gohan]

In Goku's case, I think it's more to do with his Saiyan body being naturally more durable. Even as a baby, he dropped off a cliff and bumped his head on a rock, yet still survives. He'd certainly have no consciousness of Ki then.

For other characters of differing race, it would have to come down more to Ki control. It can't be about just having a lot of Ki because bullets were shown to penetrate Majin Buu's body like hot butter.

[TheGmGoken]

In Goku's case, I think it's more to do with his Saiyan body being naturally more durable. Even as a baby, he dropped off a cliff and bumped his head on a rock, yet still survives. He'd certainly have no consciousness of Ki then.

For other characters of differing race, it would have to come down more to Ki control. It can't be about just having a lot of Ki because bullets were shown to penetrate Majin Buu's body like hot butter.

Yes he did. He threw ki balls at Gohan and had Saiyan amour.