Guns?
If I lived in America I'd have many guns, one for every occasion.
A shotgun and handgun for charging bears, smaller and lighter handguns for self defence in workplaces, malls etc...although the bear-repelling handguns might be ok for that too, even if a bit heavy.
Home invaders could be stopped with a shotgun or a handgun, depending.
I'm learning how to survive in America via YouTube videos.
Today I learnt how to warm up if trapped in the snow...find a tree, place folded tarp on ground to sit on, take blanket and candle from pack. Place candle in snow, blanket over head/body, light candle. Blanket will trap heat from the candle [about 2" diameter]. Temp will rise from 31%F to 51%F in a while...not much of the candle used.
"It's what the old-timers used to do".