Lots and lots of folks aren't afraid of someone pointing a gun at them because they know that to shoot will give the shooter legal trouble. Especially thugs (including thuglets and thugettes) know that if they're not armed or violently attacking, you really can't "...do them nothing." Depending on their upbringing and peers, they may well be afraid but be absolutely more afraid to back down.

Sorry to be repetitive - a gun is not a magic wand.