Here is a little trick I learned in the army. While your friend isn't looking, slip it into his pack. Your pack is now much lighter.

I own firearms, have my concealed permit, I don't have a death wish. All that said, I like the feeling of being part of nature. For me that means accepting that I am part of food chain. Fortunately my two encounters with bears (TN/NC border, AK) were uneventful. From less than 50 yards they looked at me, I looked at them, and we went our separate ways.