An update of the incidents where use of .380, 9.3×18 Makarov, and .38 caliber revolvers which were fired in defense against bears. All documented incidents are included.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .380, 9.3×18, .38 Revolvers
Dean Weingarten - Page 13
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973.
He taught the Arizona concealed & carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained.
Dean is an outspoken defender of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and an accomplished writer and reporter for AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and his blog gunwatch.blogspot.com
Today is Friday, April 24, 2026 
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Court Finds Convicted Felons have Second Amendment Rights
A three judge panel in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has found the federal ban on the exercise of rights protected by the Second Amendment, for non-violent felons, is unconstitutional in the case of US v Duarte.
Body Cam Shows Police Shoot Armed Man in His Home
In a tragic shooting in Florida, an Okaloosa County deputy shot and killed Senior Airman Roger Fortson, as Fortson answered his door with a handgun in his hand, held down at his side.
Canadian Government Aims to Destroy Browning Hi-Power Pistols
The Canadian government is moving forward with plans to destroy thousands of historic Browning Hi-Power pistols.
Handgun Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .22 Rimfire, 11 Incidents
Here are all the documented cases where .22 rimfire handguns were fired in defense against bears, from several years of diligent searching. We welcome additions to the list, especially of incidents where firing the handgun failed to deter the bear.
Bear Defense with Handguns Update, 20 More Cases 98% Effective
The number of defensive cases where a handgun was documented to have been fired in defense against a bear has reached 100. The total number is now 192 incidents. Success rate remains at 98%.
California Granted Stay on Summary Judgement Against One Gun A Month Law
A three judge administrative panel on the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted a stay of the summary judgement against the State of California in the One Gun a Month case.
Netherlands Update: Hans Teeuwen “Pistol” Was An Air Gun, As We Predicted…
The well known dutch absurdist comedian, Hans Teeuwen, expects the case involving police taking an airgun from his home, after a video of a comedy skit mocked the mayor of Amsterdam, to be settled quickly.
Review: A Device for Refilling Practice Bear Spray (How to)
Congratulate John Gookin on inventing a system that allows economic practice in drawing, removing the safety, aiming, and activating bear spray canisters.
No Retrial for Arizona Border Rancher George Allen Kelly
George Allen Kelly, the border rancher near Nogalas, Arizona, will not be retried after a mistrail was declared on April 23, 2024. The decision is not binding on future prosecutors.
Handgun Defense Against Bears, Caliber NOT Critical as Thought
When handguns are fired in defense against bears, caliber is not as important as many people think. Having a gun is far more important.
NICS March 2024: Gun Sales and Background Checks are Slowly Dropping
National Instant background Check System (NICS) and gun sale declined for the fifth year in a row for March. Inflation and a slow economy are part of the reason.
Oral Arguments Set for Texas Silencer Case
The oral arguments in Paxton v. Dettlebach, the Texas silencer case, will be heard at the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Wednesday May 1, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
Bias in Studies of the Efficacy of Firearms in Bear Attacks
There is significant selection bias inherent in studies of the effectiveness of bear defense weapons systems. However, bias can be limited by objective criteria and by publication of raw data for review by the public.
Why Progressives Refuse to Support School Protectors
This hypothetical conversation reveals how hard core progressives think about gun-free school zones. It is all about politics and advancing the revolution.
Lawyers Have the Right to Bear Arms in Courthouses
The Arkansas Supreme Court has ruled the legislature has the authority to affirm the right of lawyers to carry arms inside of courthouses.
Louisiana Preemption Bill Passes Senate, 28-11, on to House
An expended preemption bill is moving through the Louisiana legislature. Its purpose is to prevent local governmental entities from infringing on the right to keep and bear arms.
California Ban on Carrying Firearms for Non-Residents Challenged
A lawsuit is challenging the power of the State of California to infringe on the rights of non-residents to carry arms, as protected by the Second Amendment.
ATF has a New “Straw Man”, the Unlicensed Gun Dealer
A report by the Department of Justice shows the ATF spends billions of dollars investigating unlicensed firearm dealers responsible for .084% of firearms sold in the United States.
As Faith in Police Drops, so Do Arrest Rates
A paper at the Crime Prevention Research Center shows crime rates rising while arrest rates and reporting of crime is falling. As trust in police falls, crime rates rise.
NRA Members Protected Against ATF Pistol Brace Rule
A federal judge placed a preliminary injunction against the ATF, preventing the enforcement of the pistol brace rule for members of the NRA.
Debate Lott v Levinson: Was the Second Amendment a Mistake?
On March 11, 2024, Dr. John Lott debated the eminent law professor Sanford Levinson on the subject: Was the Second Amendment a Mistake?
Appeals Court Upholds Second Amendment Rights of 18-20-Year-Olds
The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has confirmed the rights of 18-to-20-year-old people to keep and bear arms, protected by the Second Amendment.
Defendant has Standing to Contest Connecticut’s Ban on Carry in State Parks
A three-judge panel in the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has vacated the ruling of the District Court. The judges held the plantiff has standing to sue the State for violation of his Second Amendment rights.
Bear Defense | Problems with Empty Chamber Carry
Carrying a long gun with an empty chamber can cause the loss of precious seconds while engaging a deadly threat.
Defense Against Pursuing Black Bear and Man Fishing in Michigan in the 1960s
James Albert Maierle shot a black bear in self defense on the Montreal River in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It was in the early 1960’s, during the spring of the year.
Gun Free School Zone Case Sees Metcalf Accept Plea, Appeal Expected
At the start of the trial of Gabriel Metcalf, on March 25, 2024, in Billings Montana, for violation of the federal Gun Free School Zone act, Gabriel accepted a plea offer which preserves the right to appeal the decision on the constitutionality of the law.
Bears Are Not Bulletproof, Don’t Aim at the Wrong Spot
Many people believe bullets will bounce off a bear’s skull. Much of this myth comes from a misunderstanding of where a bear’s brain is located.
Repressive States: No Right to Carry, Ban on Semi-Autos, No Suppressors, and High Taxes
Nine states in the United States are defying the Supreme Court and repressing Constitutional rights.
Wyoming Governor Vetoes Bill to Reduce Gun Free Zones
Governor Mark Gordon (R) of Wyoming has vetoed HB 125, which removed restrictions on where Second Amendment rights may be exercised.