No Russ, you're absolutely right. Good point.

For years (24 now) I've been taught the purpose is to "stop the threat". As a firearms and use of force instructor, that is the wording I must use when teaching. It's politically correct BS, of course, hence the first sentence or paragraph of my post. I wanted to be realistic and not mince words with a man who, while familiar with firearms, is not with handguns and his purpose for buying one is for self-defense.

Here is reality: a firearm is a deadly weapon. It is used only when deadly force is necessary. Whatever you hit may die, though not everything will. If we could stop the threat with something less deadly, we would, and legally should. However, for so many unlisted reasons, reality gets in the way again.

I don;t recommend a .22 for self-defense (nor a .38, nor a .380, nor a 9mm [though it will suffice]).

This is an opinion of mine (<------ disclaimer)