Editing Riot control (section)

== Consequences ==
There has been public controversy when it has come to the tactics of riot control. Moral and legal questions have emerged regarding constitutional rights such as the right to assembly as well as free speech. This form of state violence is also controversial as discussions have emerged regarding the legitimacy as well as the ethics of containing protests. There are discussions on the implications of the perceived military-civilian split. For example, the United States regards its police as civilians. However, the ambiguity of the laws allows for the police to act as military in conflicts with U.S. citizens which has typically been seen as legitimate or at least legal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Seigel |first=Micol |date=2019 |title=Always Already Military: Police, Public Safety, and State Violence |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/728859 |journal=American Quarterly |volume=71 |issue=2 |pages=519–539 |doi=10.1353/aq.2019.0041 |issn=1080-6490|url-access=subscription }}

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There are also legitimate health and safety concerns. Some effects of riot agents include irritation, runny nose, chest tightness, coughing as well as swelling. Long term effects include blindness and respiratory failure. Death can also occur instantly due to chemical burns and respiratory failure. Different countries use different methods of riot control.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-16 |title=CDC {{!}} Fact Sheet: Facts About Riot Control Agents |url=https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/riotcontrol/factsheet.asp#:~:text=People%20exposed%20to%20riot%20control,,%20irritation,%20difficulty%20swallowing,%20drooling |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=emergency.cdc.gov |language=en-us}}</ref> Chloroacetophenone, chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (tear gas) and dibenzoxazepine are common ingredients for riot control. These are highly toxic and cancerous. Countries often have different standards for usage of chemicals like capsaicin (pepper spray) and who is allowed to own and use these chemicals for self-defense. Some scholars have called for natural alternatives to limit long term health effects like those found in the Capsicum genus and the Zingiber genus.