Both are terrible things to do. However, doing the second may be more of a deterrence in the long run. On the gripping hand, holding a laser potentially makes

Both are terrible things to do. However, doing the second may be more of a deterrence in the long run. On the gripping hand, holding a laser potentially makes you more of a target than if you use a flash-suppressing sniper rifle. It's best not to be in the situation in the first place.