People ARE attacked and killed by cougar. In an area I fish a person has been killed at the rate of one per year (not all that remote a place either - in fact, one person was killed very near town). I do not carry a gun, but I can tell you that are many times when I wish I did and probably should when I am out fishing, especially in remote areas. How can you fault a guy for legally protecting himself from cougars? In fact, they do stalk people....