Yup even a .22 with a velocity of 800fps can easily penetrate a human skull or enter the chest cavity into a vital organ. I’d not want to rely on a pellet rifle for home defense though.
I own one, and no ya’ don’t. However...if you can pump the damn thing at my size....good on ya’. It’s a pain in the @ss.
22s from a long rifled barrel are a lot kore deadly than from a short barrel handgun. Unless you are in very close range.
22s do most damage bouncing around internally.