I would not want to get hit anywhere with a BB gun. Don't kid yourself, they are dangerous.
I've been hit with a gun (9mmluger, fired from a S&W M39), and with a BB gun, and I can tell ya what, I'd rather get hit with the BB gun by FAR. Much, much safer.
A lot depends on the BB gun, too. I have a pelet gun (same caliber as BBs, .177 caliber) made for either target plinking or small game hunting. Pretty much equivalent to a .22cal rifle. I also have a target pistol BB/pelet gun, looks like a .45. Has all the power of an anemic marmoset. I'm able to propel a blowgun dart harder than this thing can shoot a BB. I can tell you which of those I'd rather nut-cases like these two use!
I also have a couple of 9MM pistols for self defense, a Lee-Enfield Sniper Rifle from WW I, and a real nice Win. Model 400 in 7mm Magnum. Has a killer muzzle break, 60X power scope, bipod, etc. I use that for either long range target shooting (1KM-1200m or so) or hunting large game. I can take a grizzley bear, elephant (not many around here! I guess they're all scared

) Water Buffalo, Elk, etc with it. Should there ever come the day (all deities forefend! See also Ferguson :shudder: ) that I
need to hunt for Food, and/or defend my home, I can do it effectively, whether quail

, rabbit, or large Elk

(also known as Wapiti, in America). I like to be prepared

I don't know what its like in the rest of the World, (including the UK), but it seems to be endemic in the USA, and getting worse all the time!
From what I understand, Russia is worse by far, with the ready supply of Vodka, and all the usual drugs provided by the ubiquitous (my big word for the day, now I have a headache!

), so-called Russian Mafia. Apparently alcoholism in the workplace is endemic, and violence and corruption worse. SO! The US may be bad, but there's worse, just less public exposure. And I'd
still rather slive here in the US than anywhere else. And the Corps gave me plenty of exposure to a lot of other places...Although maybe someplace like Bora-Bora or Truck...
Be safe all, and watch yer six!
Pat☺