Yes, I can also google "can you kill grizzly bears with a handgun" and look at the first result. And I can also google "pepper spray bear success", which tells

Yes, I can also google "can you kill grizzly bears with a handgun" and look at the first result. And I can also google "pepper spray bear success", which tells me that: > "Red pepper spray stopped bears’ undesirable behavior 92% of the time when used on brown bears, 90% for black bears, and 100% for polar bears. > Of all persons carrying sprays, 98% were uninjured by bears in close-range encounters. Which then raises the question: which deterrent is the most successful, gun or pepper spray? > And in serious bear country, serious people carry serious long guns, a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs, or a centerfire rifle with a significant payload. And it's easier to shoot those well under stress. Source? Sure, I guess it's "safer", but also way less practical in many situations. 99% of the time, just making noise and let the bear do its stuff without bothering him suffice to avoid any issue.