Im just curious that the first instinct is to put out "carry a shotgun/rifle/bearspray" when someone with a bit of nerve issues in wrists and hands talks about a handgun for bear defense.
Are these folks who have actually managed to go around the back 40 all day with a long gun held in their hands and managed to cut trees, pick berries, enjoy life? Or are they folks who realized that the long gun gets in the way non stop and prevents them from doing most things unless its put on the ground or slung over the back... and then is impossible to get out in a hurry