CA-FSC FSC Safety Rules 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When handing a firearm to another person, what is the correct procedure?
- Hand it over with the action closed and loaded
- Open the action, verify it is unloaded, and hand it over with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction (Correct answer)
- Keep the action closed and let the other person check it themselves
- Only hand over firearms in a gun store
Correct answer: Open the action, verify it is unloaded, and hand it over with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
Always open the action, verify the firearm is unloaded, and transfer it pointing in a safe direction so the recipient can also verify it.
Question 2: What does it mean to 'treat every firearm as if it is loaded'?
- You must always keep a round chambered
- You must apply all safety rules regardless of whether you believe the gun is unloaded (Correct answer)
- You should never unload a firearm
- Treat it with less caution since it may not be loaded
Correct answer: You must apply all safety rules regardless of whether you believe the gun is unloaded
This fundamental rule means applying full safe-handling practices at all times because you can never be 100% certain a gun is unloaded.
Question 3: A person finds a firearm at home and is unsure if it is loaded. What should they do FIRST?
- Pull the trigger to see if it fires
- Point it at the ground and check the magazine
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep the finger off the trigger, and open the action to check (Correct answer)
- Hand it to a child to carry to a safe place
Correct answer: Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep the finger off the trigger, and open the action to check
The first steps are always to control the muzzle direction and keep the finger off the trigger before opening the action to check the chamber.
Question 4: Why should you never rely solely on a firearm's mechanical safety device?
- Mechanical safeties are illegal in California
- Mechanical safeties can fail, so safe handling rules must always be followed (Correct answer)
- Mechanical safeties make guns harder to shoot
- Only revolvers have mechanical safeties
Correct answer: Mechanical safeties can fail, so safe handling rules must always be followed
Mechanical safeties are mechanical devices that can malfunction, so they supplement but never replace the four fundamental safety rules.
Question 5: Which action is safest when you are not actively shooting but holding a firearm at a range?
- Keep your finger on the trigger and the safety on
- Point it uprange at other shooters for maximum control
- Keep the muzzle downrange, finger outside the trigger guard, and action open if appropriate (Correct answer)
- Rest the muzzle on your foot to keep it pointed down
Correct answer: Keep the muzzle downrange, finger outside the trigger guard, and action open if appropriate
Keeping the muzzle downrange, finger off the trigger, and opening the action when not shooting prevents accidental discharge and injury.
Question 6: What is the danger of keeping your finger inside the trigger guard while moving with a firearm?
- It is tiring on the hand muscles
- It can cause an accidental discharge if you stumble, trip, or are startled (Correct answer)
- It is only dangerous with semi-automatic pistols
- It makes the firearm look unsafe to bystanders
Correct answer: It can cause an accidental discharge if you stumble, trip, or are startled
Any sudden movement, fall, or startle reflex can cause the finger to contract on the trigger, firing the weapon unintentionally.
Question 7: Under FSC safety rules, when is it permissible to point a firearm at something you do not intend to shoot?
- When the safety is engaged
- When you are certain the firearm is unloaded
- Never — never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy (Correct answer)
- When wearing eye and ear protection
Correct answer: Never — never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy
The rule 'never point at anything you are not willing to destroy' applies at all times regardless of load status or safety position.
CA-FSC FSC Safety Rules 2
When handing a firearm to another person, what is the correct procedure?