Pitbulls have become a scapegoat for bad training. As you have said, it is the type of dog that drug dealers, testosterone fueled big men, security, and downright dodgy individuals are more likely to own - because of this breed reputation. This makes it so much worse as these are the people that encourage dogs to attack people and other dogs, encourage violence and aggression and create this impression that pits are evil. If drug dealers owned terriers then I am sure the dogs would become little monsters and perpetuate the opinion that terriers are evil. Its all in the training.
My boss owns a white pitbull x boxer or something of that ilk... and she is a doll. She was rescued from the streets in a "dodgy" area and can be slightly aggressive to other dogs when out on the leash. During the day she has the run of the grooming salon and interacts with all the other breeds with gentle dignity. Including yorkies, poodles and huge labradoodles. No aggression whatsoever and this is a street dog. She spends most of her day sitting next to a groomer with her head in the groomer's lap. She is not pushy, just sits and looks up with those big eyes. How anyone could consider her as a dangerous dog is beyond me. The idea of her being destroyed because of the breed restriction is appalling.