I don't have the actual statistics, but the point has already been brought up that most people will never need a gun to defend against a human attacker, either. That doesn't keep many of us from keeping guns handy in case the situation arises.
Everybody that steps out onto a nature trail probably doesn't need to carry a gun for bears. This is true. And every women that walks across a dark parking lot at three in the morning probably doesn't need to be armed either. There are fewer rapists than women, and far fewer bears than people.
However, some people have a real concern with legitimate needs. In NW MT where I grew up, and still have family, there are plenty of black bears and cougars, as well as some of the only grizzlies in the Lower 48. Working trail crew for the Forest Service when I was in college, I had the opportunity to run in to a couple of them. As it was policy not to allow us to have firearms with us on the job, all we could do is hide behind the dude with the most readily accessible chainsaw. Nothing happened, the bear meandered off, apparently bored with his human invaders, as he certainly did not appear alarmed, nor did he display aggression or fear. He was 40 yards uphill, looked at us, and walked away. But the whole time I was in his presence, I was impressed by the aura of strength and dominance he conveyed and each and every one of us knew we were no longer at the top of the food chain. That is a disconcerting feeling, the first time you experience it. My dad and my grandpa have both had chronic black bear problems whereby the same, presumably, black bears will come into their respective yards and tear apart their orchards. Ever had a black bear break a tree in half falling out of it, 30 feet from your house? Ever had to dodge black bear doo-doo in your driveway, on the way to check the mail? If you've done these things, you probably live in bear country, and it probably make sense to take some precautionary measures to deal with.
Getting a gun may be one of these steps, but it isn't the only one, or even the first. Consulting your local Fish and Game Dept. to see where in your area bear activity is being reported, and where the historical highest bear concentration has been is one good step. While you're there, ask if they have a pamphlet or brochure on bears. The Forest Service Station I worked for made us all watch a video on bears and preventing and dealing with bear attacks. It was cheaply made and cheesy, but it was informative. The best thing you can do if you're really worried about bears in your area is become informed. Then you can decide whether you need to carry a firearm for protection. If you do go that route you should know that a) most states, and for sure the feds, all take their bear populations very seriously. If you kill one of them, you are going to have to prove you had to or face big fines (I've heard of fines of five to six figures being dealt out dealing with grizzlies) and possible prison time. And b) if you opted for a handgun, you're probably just fooling yourself. Once you've seen a grizzly, you know no handgun on earth is preferable to a rifle (or an airstrike). Black bears, maybe. But the number of handguns with enough power to deal with a grizzly are limited, as are the number of people skilled enough to use them. Plus, these "handguns" all weigh about five pounds, at which point, an extra couple of pounds of weight to gain the power and accuracy of a rifle is worth it. It is. Period. Plus, most people hit better under stress with a rifle. And if you don't think 600+ pounds of fur and teeth will induce a pucker factor, you're wrong. Heck, neither of the grizzlies I saw even turned to face me, but I was still plenty puckered. To even approach adequacy for a grizzly, you need a long gun.
Most of all, it is important to be sane and use common sense. I've ran into hundreds of black bears and a couple grizzlies. The end every single one of them presented to me was not the end with the teeth. Indeed, by the time a camera or a gun could be accessed, the vast majority of bear encounters in my experience would be limited to a picture of a bear's behind making tracks away from you. That doesn't mean a threat doesn't exist, just that it is grossly exaggerated.
And the only bear I've ever shot was a young black bear in a campground about a mile from family property that I shot in the rear with a load of 7 1/2 shot from about 40 yards, to get away from a dumpster it was rummaging through.
I've had the opportunity, but even hunting black bears doesn't really appeal to me. I hunt primarily for food and from what I've had of bear, it isn't particularly well suited for human consumption. Which is fine, as they seem to think the same way about us...
It's so cheap that I don't care what I do to it.
