Why I do not to carry a gun when hiking and camping solo: A deep dive into safety, statistics, and effective alternatives

Whenever I talk about my adventures solo hiking and camping, one of the most common questions I receive is: Should I carry a gun for self-defense when hiking or camping alone? What about safety when hiking solo?

Because the biggest concern for most people when solo hiking and camping (and any outdoor adventure) is the predators: Both animal and man.

And after much consideration and lots of research, I’ve personally chosen to forego carrying a firearm while outdoors.

This is always, ALWAYS a hot topic whenever I share about it publicly. Lots of angry replies and usually a handful of death threats. It's always fascinating to me how emotional people get about someone's personal decision that doesn't impact them at all.

At the end of the day, my personal decision is just that: A personal decision. It has no impact on you and your ability to decide what's right for you. That's the beauty of 2A, isn't it? We all have a choice. At the end of the day, this post isn't condemning anyone who does carry a firearm, it's just explaining the rationale behind my decision.

And just a little tip for the future: If someone says they don't carry a gun, don't ask them why. It's a deeply, deeply personal decision. Just trust them that they've made the safest and wisest choice for their own well-being. Becaue don't we all want that? For people to make well-informed decisions for their own safety.

But I'm not shy. I want to share my rationale. And I've backed it all up with a TON of data and great sources for you to sink your teeth into. My goal here is to share this information and my thought process with you all so that you can make the best, most well-informed decision for yourself. I honestly haven't seen this side of things discussed much, and I wish I had this article when I was first starting out on my solo adventures.

So, let's dive on in. Learn why I chose other safety strategies instead, including why guns often present more risk than they solve, and how the right tools, preparation, and mindset are far more effective.

TL;DR

• The wilderness is statistically safer than cities or suburbs: The majority of violent crime happens in urban and suburban areas, most involve someone the victim knows, and wildlife attacks are extremely rare, with far fewer fatalities than everyday risks like car accidents.

• Carrying a gun can increase risks rather than reduce them: Firearms are linked to accidental injury, suicide, and complex legal consequences, and are often ineffective in high-stress wilderness encounters compared to non-lethal tools.

• Preparation and non-lethal safety strategies are more effective: Detailed trip planning, situational awareness, and tools like bear spray, pepper gel, and personal alarms provide practical, proven protection against both human and wildlife threats.

Hiking safety stats

When making any kind of decision, I like to look at data. Cold, hard facts. I’m no expert in gun safety, just as I’m no expert in self-defense or wilderness survival. I'm just a gal who likes to hike and camp solo. So, I want to know: What do the experts say? I started by asking some questions and then finding the data to help answer.

Question: Is the wilderness more unsafe than suburbia or cities?

Answer: The wilderness is not more unsafe than suburbia or urban areas.

• 62% of violent crimes involve people the victim knows, not a random stranger in the woods (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics - Criminal Victimization in the United States, 2019)

• In the U.S., the wilderness accounts for less than 1% of all violent crimes (Source: National Park Service - Crime in National Parks)

• About 28.9% of assaults occur in the outdoors; the majority happen at home or in urban areas. (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics - Criminal Victimization in the United States, 2019)

• Cities are more than three times as dangerous as rural or wilderness areas in terms of violent crime. (Source: USAFacts)

  
  

Question: How rare are wildlife attacks?

Answer: Wildlife attacks are extremely rare.

• There have only been two bear-related fatalities in national parks in the last decade (Source: National Park Service - Bear Safety)

• The chances of being injured by a bear are approximately 1 in 2.1 million. You are more likely to be killed by a bee than a bear, and way more likely to be killed by another human than by either bear or bee.(Source: University of Colorado Boulder - Bear Attacks) 

• From 1868 to 2023, there have only been 29 confirmed deaths from cougar attacks (Source: MountainLion.org)

• 95% of all bear encounters occur when hikers are unaware of their surroundings (Source: National Park Service - Bear Safety)

Question: What are the risks of carrying a firearm, especially for someone like me with a history of mental health issues?

Answer: The risks of carrying firearms in the outdoors far outweigh the benefits, especially for folks with mental health concerns.

• 486 people die every year due to accidental gun injuries (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Fatal Injury Reports)

• For each time a firearm is used in self-defense, there are 4.5 criminal assaults, 7.8 suicide attempts, and 11 criminal homicides (Source: American Journal of Public Health, Firearms and Public Health)

• Firearms in the home increase the risk of suicide by 8 times and homicide by 5 times (Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Gun Ownership and Gun Violence)

  
  

Question: Are there any other methods of self-defense or other tools that are more effective than firearms? 

Answer: Yes, there are many alternatives to firearms that are more effective in self-defense outdoors (both against human predators and wildlife).

• 80% of wilderness accidents could be prevented through proper preparation (Source: Wilderness Medical Society - Wilderness Risk and Safety)

• Pepper spray is effective in 85% of self-defense situations in which it’s deployed (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)

• 74% of people reported gut instinct played a significant role in their decision to avoid a dangerous situation (Source: University of California, Berkeley - Safety and Intuition)

• Bear spray is effective in 92% of bear encounters.* It also has a range of up to 25–30 ft. (Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Bear Spray Effectiveness) 

• Firearms were only effective in 67% of bear encounters.* (Source: Glacier Outfitters)

• 71% of people shooting at bears were still injured, usually due to inaccurate shots or adrenaline affecting aim. Common civilian handguns used in self-defense scenarios also typically only have an accurate range of 7-15 ft.—anything beyond that range (especially under the duress of an attack) requires considerable talent, practice, and skill. Which, let’s be honest, most people do not have. (Source: Herrero et al., 2018, “Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance,” 2nd Edition)

• Only 1 out of 140 people using bear spray in defensive situations suffered serious injury (Source: Smith et al., 2008, “Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska,” Wildlife Society Bulletin)

• Handling a gun in high-stress scenarios—like a wilderness encounter with a human or animal threat—significantly increases the chance of accidents. Stress reduces fine motor control and decision-making ability, making firearm use riskier than non-lethal alternatives like bear spray, alarms, or situational awareness. (Source: Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, 2018)

*A note on research and academic papers on bear spray vs. firearms: There is no hard and fast, black and white, 150% accurate scientific study that proves the effectiveness of bear spray vs. firearms during a bear attack. This is largely because it's impossible to replicate 1:1 scenarios, and we largely rely on anecdotal evidence (often tainted by adrenaline-hazed memory) to support or disprove a claim. While the academic papers I have denoted above with an asterisk are still a worthy consideration, they are not the end-all, be-all. Some of them have flaws in their methodology, but I am including them because we simply don't have any other studies to point to. Although their conclusions are not 100% accurate, given flawed methodology, it still helps add to the broader picture and gives us some leading indicators of the efficacy of bear spray as a deterrent. If you'd like to learn more about the nuance here and the specific limitations of these studies, check out this article.

The wilderness is safer than you think

I understand why people are afraid of the outdoors. It’s the unknown. The wilderness is just that: It’s wild. And it’s human nature to fear the unknown, the wild, the unpredictable. The media does a great job of sensationalizing any accidents that happen in the great outdoors as well, oftentimes highlighting the most gruesome and terrifying freak occurrences (*cough* and true crime podcasts *cough*).

But if we look at the data and listen to the experts (rather than those seeking clicks/views/streams), we get a completely different picture of how safe the wilderness really is.

You’re safer in the wilderness than you are in the suburbs or the city

Many people believe that hiking or camping alone in the wilderness is inherently more dangerous than living in urban areas or even walking through suburban neighborhoods. But the facts tell a different story. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 62% of violent crimes involve someone the victim knows, and only 28.9% of assaults happen outside. When you consider that most violent crimes occur in cities or neighborhoods, it’s clear that the wilderness is far safer than we’ve been led to believe.

So when I hear people express fear about venturing into nature solo, I try to remind them that these fears are often amplified by sensationalized stories. The wilderness isn’t the dangerous, unknown void that some people think it is—it’s a space full of peace, wonder, and the potential for growth.

When comparing violent crime rates in urban versus rural areas, the contrast is stark. Urban areas report 82.5 incidents of violent crime per 10,000 people annually, whereas rural areas (where most outdoor adventures take place) report just 24.5 incidents per 10,000 people (USAFacts). The numbers speak for themselves: Cities are far more dangerous than rural landscapes, and the outdoors is one of the safest places to be.

Violent human-on-human crime more often occurs between people who know each other, not strangers in the woods

There's this shared fear of a strange man walking up to your campsite or stalking you on the trail, waiting to attack. And while that does happen, it's extremely, extremely rare.

Again, statistics tell us a very different story. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the vast majority of violent crimes are committed by people known to the victim: Only 38% of violent crimes are committed by strangers. That means 62% of violent crimes involve someone the victim knows.

Wildlife encounters are exceedingly rare, preventable, and manageable 

If you talk to any outdoorsman, they’ll tell you the harrowing tales of how they’ve encountered X amount of bears on their adventures. I know from anecdotal experience, the majority of bear encounters do not require the use of any kind of weapon—nature mostly just wants to be left alone. In fact, if I think back to all of my wildlife encounters, I’ve never even needed to consider touching my bear spray. Bears (and other animals) are generally more scared of us than we are of them. They ultimately just want space.

I still understand the fear of encountering dangerous wildlife, though, especially bears or cougars. While these encounters can be intimidating, the actual risk of being attacked is remarkably low. So, beyond my anecdotal experience, we should look at what the data and the experts say. 

• Bear attacks: Since 1784, there have been only 180 fatal bear attacks in North America. Yellowstone National Park, one of the most popular parks in the U.S. and home to many bear species, has only recorded 8 fatal bear attacks since its founding in 1872.

• Cougar attacks: Cougar attacks are similarly rare. Since 1868, there have been just 29 confirmed fatal cougar attacks in North America, averaging 0.18 fatal attacks per year. 

These statistics show that the risk of a fatal wildlife encounter is exceedingly small. In fact, you’re statistically more likely to be injured in a car accident on the way to your trailhead than to encounter a dangerous animal while hiking. (Fatal car accident risk: ~40,900 deaths/year; fatal wildlife attack risk: less than one per year for either bear or cougar)

But what about the worst-case scenario? Don’t you want a gun just in case?

This is the question I usually get after I’ve laid out all of the statistics and data that prove the wilderness is not as scary and unsafe as many believe it to be (and there’s no real need for me to carry a gun). 

There’s this desire to think of the worst-case scenario. And I get it. We want to prepare for the worst so we don’t become another stat, so we don’t become one of those sensationalized stories. We never want to wonder, “What if?”

The thing is: A gun isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to the worst-case-scenario. In many situations, it can actually cause more harm than good. And there are so many tried-and-true strategies to help you out in bad scenarios that don’t involve deploying a lethal weapon.

Keep in mind: Self-defense is always about de-escalation and escape to safety, not killing your assailant. 

So, let’s dig into the research from the experts here. 

The risks of carrying a firearm

Accidental harm

The first and most critical risk of carrying a firearm is the potential for accidental injury or death. Firearms are not inherently dangerous, but improper handling or lack of proper training can have deadly consequences. In the United States, over 463 people per year die from unintentional gun-related injuries (NSC). 

Many firearm accidents occur due to:

• Improper storage: Guns left unsecured can be accessed by children or others who aren’t familiar with firearm safety. When you’re out hiking and camping, there are very limited ways to keep your firearm properly and safely secured. 

• Lack of training: Even seasoned gun owners can be prone to accidents if they don’t practice handling their firearms regularly and understand the nuances of their equipment. Especially in a high-stress, adrenaline-fueled moment, being charged by a grizzly or faced with a human predator, the chances you’ll be a good shot are pretty low.

If a firearm is carried in an emergency situation, under stress, and without practice, the chance of mishandling or accidentally firing increases dramatically. The risk of harming yourself or others outweighs any perceived benefits when using a firearm for defense in the wild.

Suicide risk

Access to firearms significantly increases the risk of suicide, which is one of the most overlooked dangers of gun ownership. Now, I’m no stranger to sharing this side of myself to the internet. I’ve always been very open about my struggles with mental health. As someone diagnosed with depression and a family history of worse, I simply do not trust myself to have access to a firearm. 

If we look at the data, studies consistently show that people who own firearms are at a much higher risk of dying by suicide than those who don’t. My brain is already working against me; I’d rather give myself a fighting chance and limit my risk factors. 

Specifically, individuals who own handguns are:

• 8 times more likely to die by suicide than those without handguns (men)

• 35 times more likely (women)

In 2023, 58% of all firearm-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides (Pew Research). Since 2014, total gun-related deaths have increased 39.1%, suicide deaths involving guns have increased 27.6%. These statistics are crucial because they emphasize that the presence of a firearm can have long-lasting, fatal consequences, particularly in vulnerable moments. The reality is that guns are far more likely to be used in suicide than in self-defense, underscoring the serious mental health risks associated with gun ownership.

Legal complications

While I don’t think many people are thinking through the legal nuances of discharging a weapon when they’re in a dire enough of a situation to deploy one, it’s still important to consider, plan for, and research.

For example, there are legal complexities involved in traveling across state lines. Firearm laws vary dramatically between states, and what’s legal in one state may be illegal in another. While federal law permits the interstate transport of firearms under certain conditions, states like New York, New Jersey, and California have strict regulations, and traveling with a firearm in these areas can result in serious legal consequences (NRA-ILA). If you're planning to hike across multiple states or areas with varying gun laws, transporting a firearm becomes a legal minefield. Fines, arrests, and even jail time could result simply from carrying a gun unknowingly in a restricted area. This is especially important for solo adventurers who may not be familiar with the nuances of local laws.

But it doesn’t stop there. Even in states where carrying a firearm is legal, the circumstances under which you may legally use that firearm for self-defense are complex and often misunderstood.

• Duty to retreat vs. Stand Your Ground: Some states require you to attempt to retreat if possible before using lethal force in self-defense (“duty to retreat”), whereas others allow you to use deadly force without retreating if you reasonably believe you’re in imminent danger (“Stand Your Ground”). Misunderstanding these laws could lead to criminal charges even if you genuinely feared for your life.

  
  

• Proportionality of force: Self-defense laws generally require that the force used be proportional to the threat. Using a firearm against someone who is unarmed or posing minimal threat can result in criminal charges, civil lawsuits, or both.

  
  

• Castle doctrine & public spaces: Some laws apply only to your home or vehicle (Castle Doctrine), not to outdoor public spaces. This is important to remember when considering carrying a firearm for self-defense on trails or in backcountry areas.

  
  

• Accidental discharge liability: Accidental discharge of a firearm can result not only in personal injury or death but also in criminal charges ranging from negligence to manslaughter, depending on the circumstances.

  
  

• Civil liability: Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, a self-defense incident can lead to costly civil lawsuits. Victims or their families may sue for damages, which could be financially devastating.

  
  

• Hunting & wildlife laws: Many backcountry areas are also subject to hunting regulations, and discharging a firearm outside of designated hunting activities may violate state wildlife laws, regardless of whether you believe it’s self-defense.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather just not worry or think about all of that.

Guns have limited realistic use in wilderness defense

When it comes to self-defense, firearms are not nearly as effective as many believe. Research shows that firearms are used in self-defense in only 1% of violent crimes. The vast majority of defensive uses of firearms are not successful, and many instances involve individuals using a gun inappropriately or illegally (Pew Research). Introducing a firearm into an already high-stress, potentially dangerous situation can escalate it rather than resolve it. The presence of a weapon, especially if the person is not trained to handle it properly, can quickly turn a manageable situation into a tragic one.

I also know that even if I were extremely well-trained, I would struggle to correctly and accurately deploy a firearm with a grizzly charging me or a scary man threatening my safety coming at me. When you think of the reality of the situation, your perspective shifts. I’m not delusional enough to think I’m in a superhero movie. Unfortunately, I think a lot of folks who think they’re going to be able to deploy a firearm in a dire situation have a self-inflated sense of ego and dramatically overestimate their abilities.

When talking about wildlife encounters, it also needs to be considered that it typically takes more than one bullet to deter a bear. Simply shooting a bear once or twice could aggravate it further, resulting in even more harm to you or those around you. I personally would much rather use a tool specifically designed to incapacitate a bear than take that risk.

As a reminder: The goal of self-defense should always be de-escalating the situation and escaping, not killing the predator.

Solo hiking safety: Effective outdoor self-defense alternatives to firearms

I’ve talked about this so much already on my blog, podcast, and social channels, but there are 923847923874938472 things you can do to keep yourself safe before you ever need to even think about deploying a weapon. 

Being prepared is the most effective strategy for staying safe in the outdoors.

• Create a detailed plan: Before heading out, I always create a detailed plan that includes my intended location, route, and estimated time of return. I share this plan with a trusted friend or family member. I also let them know that if I’m not back by a certain time, they should call for help. This simple act of communication ensures that if anything goes wrong, someone knows where to find me.

  
  

• Invest in a GPS communication device: A Garmin InReach Mini has been a game-changer for me. This device allows me to communicate even when I don’t have cell service, which is crucial in remote areas. It provides peace of mind, both for me and my loved ones, and it has an SOS feature that connects directly to emergency services if needed. I won’t venture out without it.

  
  

• Know your surroundings: I always research the area I’ll be exploring, including wildlife, terrain, and any seasonal risks. This includes checking for risks like bears, cougars, or hunting seasons. Understanding what might be lurking around will help you feel more prepared and confident.

  
  

• Be aware of your environment: When I arrive at camp or the trailhead, I take the time to familiarize myself with the layout and/or route. If anything feels off, I trust my instincts and adjust accordingly. Paying attention to the little details can make a huge difference.

• Learn about verbal and non-verbal cues. One of the best things you can do in self-defense situations (specifically with humans, but this also applies to wildlife) is to use your body and your voice. Personally, I've learned most of this from the pro, Nicole Snell of Girls Fight Back/Outdoor Defense. And I can speak firsthand to its efficacy. I've encountered both strange/scary men and bears in the outdoors. In both scenarios, simply using body language and my voice have been more than enough to deter any kind of attack.

  
  

• Trust your most powerful safety tool: Your gut. At the end of the day, one of the most important things I carry with me is my intuition. Solo adventuring requires a certain amount of vulnerability, and trusting your gut can make all the difference. If something doesn’t feel right—whether it's a person, the weather, or the environment—listen to that feeling and adjust accordingly.

  
  

Remember, solo adventuring is not about avoiding risk altogether. It’s about being prepared, making smart decisions, and having the confidence to trust your instincts when faced with uncertainty.

Non-lethal tools for protection

In addition to all of these preparedness strategies, it’s important to have some tools on your person as well. So, while I don’t carry a firearm, I do bring some tools to help me stay safe both in the case of a human encounter or a wild one.

• Pepper gel: I carry pepper gel on all my hikes and runs. Unlike pepper spray, it’s less likely to blow back into my face, and it offers a more precise aim. It’s easy to carry, effective in de-escalating unwanted interactions, and lightweight.

  
  

• Personal alarm or air horn: A personal safety alarm or an air horn is a great tool to deter potential threats. If something feels off, you can pull the alarm to draw attention or sound the horn. It also helps you be found in case you need rescue. It’s a simple, inexpensive device that could buy you precious seconds to escape.

  
  

• Bear spray: I always carry bear spray, even when I’m not in bear country. That’s because it works to deter any predator, not just bears. It shoots a long distance, allowing me to protect myself if necessary. I always keep it easily accessible, and I make sure I’m comfortable with how to deploy it quickly. This is key. Just like a firearm, you need to be extremely comfortable quickly grabbing and deploying bear spray. They have decoy canisters you can practice with if you need to. Keep in mind, it comes out at a force of 70 mph, so it's effective in wind and rain (although, be prepared for some blow back regardless). It's generally recommended that you point the canister slightly downward because you'll create a halo/cloud around you as well for maximum efficiency.

  
  

• Utility knife: While I don’t carry a utility knife for self-defense (knives are actually extremely ineffective in self-defense situations), I do find it useful for tasks like cutting rope, whittling wood, or other camp duties. The reason why I’m listing it here is that it also serves as a visual deterrent. If I’m ever confronted, holding a knife may make an attacker think twice before approaching. In fact, I’ve done this before and it worked.

  
  

Conclusion

The outdoors are for everyone, and you belong there. While the idea of carrying a firearm may seem like a quick solution to safety concerns, the reality is that non-lethal tools, preparation, and situational awareness are far more effective in keeping you safe. By trusting your instincts and being well-prepared, you can experience the wilderness with confidence and peace of mind.

Embrace the journey, trust your gut, and enjoy the outdoors. You deserve to take up space in nature and explore the world on your own terms.

Additional resources

• Girls Fight Back - INCREDIBLE self-defense strategies and courses

• Outdoor Defense - A subset of Girls Fight Back, specifically designed for outdoor scenarios like hiking and camping solo

• Outdoorsy podcast episode: Empowered & prepared: Staying safe in the outdoors as a solo adventurer