Not wanting to head off at too much of a tangent, but doesn't this society also include Northern Ireland?

Anyway, to return to the original point and schools, I'd rather have control around access than increase the chances of another incident like those featuring Thomas Hamilton or Garnet Bell - specific happenings (among a general fear) which caused schools to increase their security. And I agree with Michael - this sort of thing doesn't necessarily indicate a bad society (though the need for them might suggest that something is wrong).