Why exposed guns and missiles can look more threatening

Why can exposed guns and missile boxes look more threatening than VLS hatches?

Visible weapons create an immediate emotional response that rows of VLS hatches may not, even when an observer understands the weapons below deck.

Exposed guns and large missile boxes can look more threatening than a deck of VLS hatches. Even someone who understands the danger of a VLS battery can find visible weapons more intimidating. The hatches resemble boxes on the deck, while exposed weapons produce an immediate emotional response. This comparison concerns appearance rather than a measured difference in weapon capability.