Consider reading about the study of bear encounters published by Brigham Young University. One such article is here: click. While the sample was somewhat limited, the conclusion was that a person possessing a firearm in a bear encounter is no more likely to escape injury than one who does not. Pepper spray was deemed a more effective deterrent. You'll also see that former Alaska wildlife biologist John Hechtel disagrees, stating that firearms and pepper spray in trained hands are equally effective during bear encounters.
Ok, so what? Well, look at the reasons why the firearm was ineffective: no time to deploy, gun jammed, gun was unloaded, person panicked and couldn't deploy, shot missed, shot did not sufficiently impair the animal, person consciously chose not to fire, etc. Statistics and pepper spray aside, if someone approaches while firing a gun, the mental and physical reactions are probably going to be similar to a bear attack.
Chevette is correct, unless you are trained for such encounters, then there is no telling how you will react. In fact, I applaud her for admitting that she would probably freeze or drop to the ground. Most of us would do the same however loath we are to confess it.
. I personally don't carry a concealed gun, although I do carry a concealed knife.
