Well, as adults that can make their own decision, that would be up to them, of course.
Hopefully this isn't too political, but I will try and answer your question.
Part of self-reliance is the ability to make your environment safe. This is why you learn first-aid, CPR, how to use a fire extinguisher, how to properly use a knife, etc.
In the United States, there are more firearms then people. This trend shows no signs of stopping any time in the near future.
Statistically speaking, in a group that focuses on outdoor activities and self-reliance, there will be multiple gun owners. Some will probably have concealed weapons permits.
Taking a gun into the wilderness is a sensible precaution. There are any number of dangerous critters, especially the ones with rabies.
While in the backcountry, you will also run into other people that are armed.
Our hypothetical non-gun-person is therefore going to be around guns.
Guns are dangerous.
Not knowing how to safely handle a gun makes non-gun people potentially dangerous to both themselves, and other people.
The responsible thing is therefore to learn how to safely handle a weapon, including how to unload and clear it.
They don't need to ever buy one, own one, or even like guns.
But knowing gun safety is right up there with knowing CPR.
You don't learn CPR by reading a book. You do it by practicing in a controlled environment.
I was in body pump class, and the instructor said 'show us those guns'. after class, one of the attendees told the instructor they were pro gun control and were offended by his comments, and asked that he didn't say it anymore.
This sounds so ... American ... to me. I've spent over a 100 days camping in the backcountry (and many more day trips) and never once carried a gun. Only once have I seen someone carrying firearms and it was a ranger specifically tasked with destroying a problematic bear.
It just seems so much easier to just avoid wildlife in most places.
It's very rare in the United States, as well. There's a small number of folks who carry rifles for protection against bears, particularly in places like Alaska where you're extremely likely to encounter bears and also possibly angry moose; most just carry bear spray, or just have a bell and talk or sing, so they don't accidentally sneak up on a bear.
I've hiked in probably 30 of the 50 states, and have met a very small number of people openly carrying guns of any sort (maybe some had concealed pistols for defense against people; that's a reasonably common thing, and there's a permit for concealed carry in most states).
Aside from the handful of states that do not regulate concealed carry, every state has a permit process for concealed carry. There are none remaining now that prohibit it outright.
Hopefully this isn't too political, but I will try and answer your question.
Part of self-reliance is the ability to make your environment safe. This is why you learn first-aid, CPR, how to use a fire extinguisher, how to properly use a knife, etc.
In the United States, there are more firearms then people. This trend shows no signs of stopping any time in the near future.
Statistically speaking, in a group that focuses on outdoor activities and self-reliance, there will be multiple gun owners. Some will probably have concealed weapons permits.
Taking a gun into the wilderness is a sensible precaution. There are any number of dangerous critters, especially the ones with rabies.
While in the backcountry, you will also run into other people that are armed.
Our hypothetical non-gun-person is therefore going to be around guns.
Guns are dangerous.
Not knowing how to safely handle a gun makes non-gun people potentially dangerous to both themselves, and other people.
The responsible thing is therefore to learn how to safely handle a weapon, including how to unload and clear it.
They don't need to ever buy one, own one, or even like guns.
But knowing gun safety is right up there with knowing CPR.
You don't learn CPR by reading a book. You do it by practicing in a controlled environment.
Same for gun safety.