That's likely true. However, it is worth considering that loading firearms of that era without a projectile was trivial, requiring no special materials or adva

That's likely true. However, it is worth considering that loading firearms of that era without a projectile was trivial, requiring no special materials or advance preparation (just wadding), and was arguably easier than loading them with one. The amount of powder could also be adjusted. Celebratory gunfire with them would have been different, and would have had different safety considerations.