jra,
You're a New York State resident?

I live, work, & play in black bear country.
I've seen them on my own land. I've had my path blocked by a black bear while bicycling.

I've been advised to carry a gun, in case a rabid black bear attacks.

I imagine such attack is unlikely (I'm 56 & still alive).

None the less, I'd be interested in an auto-loader, with more than 10 rnd mag.

BUT!

My source tells me, even if there isn't a federal restriction (whether there is, or is not, I don't know) there IS such a restriction in New York State.

Do you know if that's true?
Do you know where I can get more details?

Question #2:
If I must carry such a gun, do you know the smallest one that'll do the job? Obviously a 12 ga. street sweeper would be a useful tool in a battle against a bear.
But I really don't feel like lugging around a 12 ga. street sweeper and the 4 lbs of ammo they carry (or whatever it is).

Some say 10 mm is the way to go.
Others like 40 cal.

One source suggested I consider the .357 Sig, not so much for the foot-pounds of energy it delivers to target (there are better carts for that than .357 sig) but because it has fairly good penetrating power (almost as good as a .357 Mag (which you know is a revolver cart.), and it's deemed unusually reliable. I think that means, it jams less than some other carts.

"when the bigots of this world have been privileged for as long as they have, to them equality feels like discrimination." shiftless2