On one of the missions the Russians cosmonauts landed off course, and they were reportedly stalked by wolves, breaking out the guns and ammo just in case. They may have even used it to get some food.
US astronauts were issued a large weapon that looks like a cross between a bolo and a machete with a saw blade. They also had smaller survival knives if I remember right.
Seems kinda dumb and naïve for NASA NOT to have issued a survival gun of some type. There was always the possibility that the shuttle or any of the Apollo, Gemini, or Mercury missions would have to make an emergency descent and end up anyplace from the Amazon to the poles surrounded by aggressive wildlife or people. A polar bear, brown bear, or pride of lions may have thought they had a tasty meal coming. Guess after we have an astronaut eaten, NASA will respond.
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