Yeah it's very odd, it's probably one of the least scary things around at the moment - makes no sense everyone worked up about a clearly defensive measure that's far less likely to hurt anyone accidentally compaired to alternatives like spraying bullets or airburst missiles.
I really don't get what makes it scary, it's like being in a house fire when you live above a gunpowder factory but you're worried you'll drown because one of the taps is dripping