“It was a thousand times worse than pepper spray,” said Jon Spencer, a former Navy engineer, speaking of the effects of tear gas.
As part of his military training, he had to experience the horror of a gas chamber in person. “We went into an old building that they used for gas training. I was terrified as I knew what the gas weapons could do. My teammates were not so educated on the effects.
"As we went in, the Marine sergeants told us with a hearty smile that they were going to release some tear gas. As the gas curled up around us, every trainee including me became more fearful. Then the sergeants told us to take off our masks!
"Everyone did as they were told, but we felt the immediate consequences. We all tried to hold our breath and keep the gas out, but it seeped through our eyes and skin. Eventually we all lost our composure and bolted for the door, which of course was locked, along with the windows. Eventually we beat the door down and fell all over each other trying to get out.
"The other trainees in line for the gas chamber were horrified at what they saw; we were covered in snot and crying.” This is just an example of what gas can do, and this was only tear gas. While tear gas only burns and brings extreme discomfort, nerve gases can cause blinding, disfigurement, and death.