I too think bear spray is the safer option. In this kids case he was sleeping on the ground with a few people in the general area. Waking up and shooting the bear probably would have been a bad idea if even an option. I talked to my friend and she was in a tent and could not see the bear. Shooting at the grunting would not have been safe either. We agreed that even if she had a gun she would not have had a safe shot.