CFSC Safe Handling and Manipulation of Firearms 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When should the PROVE procedure be performed in Canada?
- Every time a firearm is picked up, passed to another person, or put down, regardless of whether it was just checked (Correct answer)
- Only at the time of purchase from a dealer
- Only when handling restricted and prohibited firearms, not hunting rifles
- Only as an optional procedure for beginners
Correct answer: Every time a firearm is picked up, passed to another person, or put down, regardless of whether it was just checked
PROVE must be performed every single time a firearm is handled. Point in safe direction, Remove ammunition, Observe chamber, Verify feed path, Examine bore.
The PROVE procedure is central to the CFSC and applies universally: every time a firearm is picked up, received from another person, put down, or passed to someone else. The five steps are Point in a safe direction, Remove all ammunition sources, Observe the chamber, Verify the feed path, and Examine the bore.
Question 2: How should a firearm be passed from one person to another at a Canadian range or shooting club?
- Perform PROVE, confirm the action is open and unloaded, then pass the firearm with the action still open so the recipient can visually verify it is unloaded (Correct answer)
- Pass handle-first quickly so the muzzle is never pointed at anyone during the transfer
- Only pass firearms when in a carrying case since hand-to-hand is not permitted
- Lay the firearm on a bench and step away to let the recipient pick it up themselves
Correct answer: Perform PROVE, confirm the action is open and unloaded, then pass the firearm with the action still open so the recipient can visually verify it is unloaded
The correct method is to PROVE the firearm, pass it with the action open so the recipient can verify its state, and maintain muzzle direction discipline throughout the transfer.
Firearm transfers between people are high-risk moments because the receiver may not know the firearm's state. CFSC training requires performing PROVE, passing the firearm with the action open and magazine removed, and then the recipient performs their own PROVE verification.
Question 3: Why should a shooter never rely solely on a mechanical safety to prevent accidental discharge?
- Mechanical safeties can fail, wear out, or be inadvertently disengaged, so only consistent safe-handling habits provide reliable protection (Correct answer)
- Mechanical safeties are unreliable only on older firearms since modern firearms have perfect safeties
- The safety is the most reliable safety mechanism while the human operator is the least reliable component
- Safeties are legally sufficient in Canada so no additional handling precautions are required if the safety is on
Correct answer: Mechanical safeties can fail, wear out, or be inadvertently disengaged, so only consistent safe-handling habits provide reliable protection
Mechanical safeties are supplementary devices that can fail through wear, damage, or accidental disengagement. Consistent safe-handling habits are the primary safety mechanism.
CFSC explicitly teaches that the four fundamental safety rules are the primary protection against accidental discharge, not the mechanical safety. Safeties can be inadvertently knocked off, can wear and fail to engage fully, or can malfunction from debris or damage.
Question 4: What is the correct response if a firearm is dropped during handling at a range?
- Let it fall and do not try to catch it, as grabbing for it may cause a discharge, then perform PROVE before picking it up (Correct answer)
- Catch it immediately by the barrel to prevent damage to the scope or sights
- Grab the trigger guard to stop the fall since this prevents trigger activation
- Kick it away from the firing line quickly to create distance
Correct answer: Let it fall and do not try to catch it, as grabbing for it may cause a discharge, then perform PROVE before picking it up
A dropped firearm should be allowed to fall. Grabbing for it risks a negligent discharge. After it lands, perform PROVE to verify its condition before picking it up.
Attempting to catch a falling firearm often results in grabbing the trigger or activating the safety in the wrong direction. Modern firearms are designed with drop-safety mechanisms, but this protection is voided if a hand catches and squeezes the trigger during the catch. Let the firearm fall, wait until it is at rest, then carefully pick it up and perform PROVE.
Question 5: Under what circumstances does Canadian law permit carrying a loaded restricted firearm outside a residence?
- Only with a valid ATT and in the specific circumstances listed in the licence condition such as travel to and from an approved range (Correct answer)
- Any PAL holder may carry a loaded restricted firearm concealed in any location
- Loaded restricted firearms may be carried openly in rural areas only
- Canadian law never permits carrying of any loaded firearm outside a residence
Correct answer: Only with a valid ATT and in the specific circumstances listed in the licence condition such as travel to and from an approved range
Restricted firearms may only be transported loaded in very limited circumstances authorized by an ATT or licence condition, such as direct travel to an approved range.
Canada has no general provision for carrying loaded restricted firearms in public. There is no civilian concealed carry permit. ATTs authorize specific transport scenarios to and from ranges, dealers, and gunsmiths with the firearm unloaded and in a locked case.
Question 6: How should a right-handed shooter carry a rifle when walking through dense bush while hunting in Canada?
- In a two-hand carry such as port arms or trail carry with the muzzle pointed away from others and downward, with full muzzle awareness maintained (Correct answer)
- Slung over the right shoulder with the muzzle pointing behind and upward
- With the right hand on the pistol grip and muzzle pointed forward at all times
- Resting on the right shoulder with the muzzle pointing to the right
Correct answer: In a two-hand carry such as port arms or trail carry with the muzzle pointed away from others and downward, with full muzzle awareness maintained
In dense bush, a two-hand trail or port arms carry keeps the rifle under control with the muzzle in a safe direction and allows the hunter to react safely to tripping or branches catching the firearm.
In dense bush where visibility is poor and tripping hazards are high, two-hand carries such as trail carry with the muzzle angled downward and forward or port arms carry across the chest provide the most control. A single-hand or sling carry leaves the firearm less controlled if the hunter stumbles.
CFSC Safe Handling and Manipulation of Firearms 2
When should the PROVE procedure be performed in Canada?