Glacier Bear Attack Shows Why Hikers Should Carry Handguns in Bear Country

Summary

A recent fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park, around May 3, 2026, has reignited debate on self-defense options, with the article highlighting instances where bear spray reportedly failed and handguns proved effective. It recounts Brian Murphy's 2014 incident on the Mount Brown Trail, where charges for discharging his .357 Magnum revolver against a charging grizzly were dismissed, establishing a precedent for self-defense use of firearms in national parks under 2010 legislation. The article also mentions Dan Calvert Wallen's case, which clarified standards for deadly force against bears in the Ninth Circuit.