The public should be educated properly. Reasons - ramming forces all the powder to the touch hole, especially in a fouled weapon, thus decreasing misfires and increasing safety. Not being particularly aerodynamic, paper is therefore not much of a threat. Sometimes people say they can't see or hear their weapon fire in line. With all that pretty white confetti blown out of the end you can now generally tell - The only time we won't use a wad is when we are fighting in extremely dry woods or if there are dead on the ground within 10 metres of or front.
People tend to get cranky about being set on fire.
No, too much confusion. Again have to assume people aren't going to be a giant spaz. This would be something an artillery man would have to discuss. I'm sure the safe range is a lot closer than we really think. I know the sfe range in front of a musket is about ten metres with a 120 grain charge being fired.