Guns

I heard people in Svalbard are required to carry a handgun to handle the polar bears situation? Is that true? What exactly is this polar bears situation? If I am just vacationing for a month as a tourist, I don't need to carry a gun? What if I stay for longer and work? Am I legally required to carry a gun? In where I am from (Texas), there are a lot of people that have guns. I have years of experiences having firearms in the house. I am also good with guns but I hate shooting. What kind of people don't carry guns in Svalbard? Like children and people with disabilities? I'd appreciate that if y'll can explain the polar bears situation so I would not have any misunderstanding?

Cheers.