Earlier quoted context omitted.
There are plenty of firearms whose only purpose is to put tiny holes in paper at varying distances.
Do you mean non-gunpowder based "firearms"? My understanding was something even as small as a .22 is significantly deadly
Assuming center of mass you've really gotta pepper someone with .22lr before they're as good as dead. .223 (aka 5.56 NATO) is still .22 but a lot more effective at putting holes in people.
At sufficient range a blast of 12ga birdshot won't even kill an old lawyer. At short range the question would be what lawyer?