Yes they can. A .22 is all one needs for self defense. A 9mm is so powerful it can send one’s lungs flying out of the chest, probably landing hundreds of yards away. An AR-15 is so powerful the Navy can sink enemy ships with one. Honest, Joe said so. sarcasm
A .22 is okay, however a .223 is only a teeny tiny bit bigger. I mean, that’s less than the thickness of most human hair!
Surely that’s fine. It’s not like it’s a 9mm or something.