As reported, a backpacker used his handgun to fend off a grizzly bear that was charging at him and a female companion in Denali National Park:
Park rangers say that a man and woman were hiking in the evening when the grizzly bear emerged from brush along the trail and charged at the pair. Fearing for his safety, and the safety of his companion, the man reportedly drew his .45 caliber pistol and fired 9 rounds. After being shot, the bear is said to have stopped its advance and walked back into the brush, leaving the hikers unharmed. Rangers later found a dead bear about 100 feet from where the self defense shooting took place,
For most people, attack by a dangerous animal is not in the top 10 risks to their life and safety. However, that does not mean that the risk should be ignored – especially when one is spending time in a remote area. Remember, it is far better to have a self defense gun and never need it, than to need a self defense gun and not have it. Luckily, this man did have a gun for self defense, and the law had recently been changed to allow concealed carry in national parks, enabling him to stop a grizzly bear attack.