- Schools in Colorado, Florida, and Georgia are deploying drones from Mithril Defense to stop active shooters within seconds.
- The drones, traveling up to 50 mph, use pepper spray, strobe lights, and sirens to overwhelm assailants, and can ram them as a last resort.
- School shootings peaked at 352 incidents in 2023, and most shootings end within two to three minutes, making rapid response critical.
- The drones cost about $20,000 per year per school, funded by states or private sources, and are cheaper than hiring a security officer.
- Some experts argue that addressing root causes like mental health and school climate is more effective than technological solutions.
- Critics raise ethical and safety concerns, such as potential harm to children from pepper spray or increased anxiety.