“The guide carried a 12-gauge shotgun for defense against bears”
Saw a video a few years ago of seal watching trip in either Canada or Norway. The guide carried a relatively short barreled 12 gauge pump shot gun across his chest for polar bear defense. First shell or maybe two was a “firecracker’ type to deter bear then buckshot then last 2-3 were slugs. Had to carry it or a rifle by law.
I think there’s a town in Norway where carrying a rifle is mandatory.