FSC FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Shooting Range Safety and Etiquette Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What action must all shooters take immediately upon hearing the command 'CEASE FIRE' at a shooting range?
- Reload their firearm
- Stop shooting immediately and make their firearm safe (Correct answer)
- Move to the next shooting lane
- Clean their firearm
Correct answer: Stop shooting immediately and make their firearm safe
'Cease fire' is a universal range safety command that requires all shooters to stop firing instantly and render their firearms safe.
Question 2: When may a shooter go downrange to check or replace their target?
- Whenever they choose during a lull in shooting
- Only after the range officer has called a cease fire and declared the range safe (Correct answer)
- Between each shot fired
- Only on weekdays when the range is less busy
Correct answer: Only after the range officer has called a cease fire and declared the range safe
Shooters may only enter the downrange area after the range officer has called a cease fire and officially declared it safe for all personnel to proceed.
Question 3: Where must a firearm always be pointed while on a shooting range?
- Toward the ceiling
- Downrange toward the targets (Correct answer)
- At the ground directly in front of the shooter
- Wherever is most convenient at the time
Correct answer: Downrange toward the targets
At all times on a range, firearms must be pointed downrange toward the targets so that any discharge travels toward the bullet-stopping backstop.
Question 4: In what condition must a firearm be kept when it is not being actively fired at a range?
- Loaded and ready to fire
- Unloaded with the action open (Correct answer)
- On the bench pointed upward
- Secured in a holster on the shooter's body
Correct answer: Unloaded with the action open
Firearms must be unloaded with their actions open when not in active use so range officers can visually confirm they are safe.
Question 5: After experiencing a misfire (round fails to fire), how long should you keep the firearm pointed downrange before opening the action?
- 5 seconds
- At least 30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 minute
- 10 seconds
Correct answer: At least 30 seconds
After a misfire, keep the firearm pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds to allow time for a potential hangfire — a delayed ignition — to occur safely.
Question 6: What is the purpose of wearing both eye and ear protection at a shooting range?
- Eye protection only guards against ricochets
- Ear protection only reduces the sound of distant shots
- Eye protection prevents injury from debris and casings while ear protection prevents noise-induced hearing damage (Correct answer)
- Neither is required by California law
Correct answer: Eye protection prevents injury from debris and casings while ear protection prevents noise-induced hearing damage
Eye protection shields shooters from ejected casings and debris while ear protection prevents permanent hearing damage caused by the high decibel levels of gunshots.
FSC FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Shooting Range Safety and Etiquette Questions and Answers 1
What action must all shooters take immediately upon hearing the command 'CEASE FIRE' at a shooting range?