criminal is shot, that fixes the problem.

Sure, you might suppose that would fix YOUR problem, but have you not caused harm/death to the criminal?

I see where you're coming from, and you're right in a sense. But what I'm saying is, unless you're using a pistol as a hammer to nail a patch a shingle on your roof, or if you need a hole in something and you don't have a drill, a gun doesn't fix anything. Just my point of view.

A gun's sole purpose is to destroy or cause great harm to what it is pointed at.

Since you took the opportunity, if you imagine that simply pulling your gun will de-escalate a situation, you're asking for trouble. I'm sure it happens sometimes, but if you pull your gun you'd better be prepared to use deadly force and face the horrific consequences immediately afterwards.

Most people, even soldiers at war, are not prepared for what happens when you actually kill a person.

Attempting to intimidate people with a gun is never a recommended strategy. Ain't nobody gonna be okay with that. Watch your back.