A new documentary, *Thoughts & Prayers*, highlights the disturbing reality of how American schools are now integrated with lockdown drills and active shooter preparedness, reflecting a culture shaped by gun violence. With 95% of schools conducting these drills regularly, children as young as five practice evasive actions meant to protect them from potential gunmen amid a striking trend—the school shooting protection industry has grown into a $3 billion market.
This film, which is gaining attention as a potential award contender, investigates the array of bizarre safety products that are becoming commonplace, including bulletproof backpacks and even “self-defense skateboards.” As the number of school shootings has reached 225 in 2025 alone, filmmakers Zackary Canepari and Jessica Dimmock examine the unsettling mix of training and merchandise designed to educate students on coping with the realities of their environment, raising questions about the effectiveness and implications of such preparations.
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