We got gassed too, and indeed that was the reasoning on that exercise. I think it's a matter of the surrounding principles and teaching. With riot control weapons, it might have both effects.

Can't generalize my mentality and expect all to think the same way, but I'd be _more_ comfortable spraying in a situation that looks messy knowing that it likely won't kill, but I'm certainly _less_ comfortable literally spraying into the air because it saves time.