It is often said (I have said it myself) that pistols are only for shooting people. But that is objectively false; there are hundreds of millions of legally owned guns - and in comparison hardly any murders by handgun. What in fact do handguns actually do? They are used for target practice, and by their very existence they intimidate criminals. Exactly what a policeman’s handgun mostly does.
Your remark about handguns intimidating criminals by their very existence is right on. Thus, my view is that, by merely having a CCW permit, carrying in my vehicle, and having another, more powerful handgun readily available in my home, I am actually using both weapons all the time, even if I never have even to brandish one in immediate self-defense. After all, why else does the U.S. have so far fewer hot burglaries, home invasions, and other forms of violent crime than Great Britian?
Yes indeed. A gun, particularly a handgun, is a criminals worst nightmare when it isn’t in their hand. As was said about Sam Colt, if memory serves, God made man; Sam Colt made them equal. Something like that anyway...