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I'm going to be staying about 3 miles outside of the Smoky Mountains at the end of this month with my immediate family and grandmother. We will be visiting the park at least once I'm sure and I see it's legal to cc in the park with the exception of federally "occupied" buildings.
I'm not interested in bringing an ar with me as I will not be carrying it around the park so with my only options as of right now being a 9mm and .45, the question is: am I going to die by insufficient stopping power or insufficient mag capacity?
FWIW, I'm sure a family member will have bear spray with them so there's that.
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Eh, just black bears.
Just take some bear spray and don't leave food out. You'll be fine.
If you want to take a firearm, neither 9 or 45 are really all that good for black bear, but I suspect 9mm will penetrate better. Those more knowledgeable may correct me on this. If I was choosing for this situation, I'd choose 9mm FMJ, assuming that's compliant with all applicable laws.
As long as you don't give them a reason to come around (leaving food out) and you don't intentionally dick with them, they won't bother you.