A machine gun is used for killing.
Not "safely" incapacitating people like the tools used in a strike for example.
Itami knew what he was doing when he sent the psycho.
You can tell your people all the sweet lies you want provided you save your ass/ political image.
Going to war to protect peace is an oxymore that has been overused for a long time, because it works so well it would be a shame not to use it again.