California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

What is the best way to ensure a firearm is safe to handle?

1. By looking it over quickly

2. By checking if the safety is on

3. By ensuring it is unloaded and checking the chamber/action

4. By asking someone else if it's safe

The correct answer is: By ensuring it is unloaded and checking the chamber/action

Option A While giving a firearm a quick visual inspection can help identify any obvious safety hazards, it is not the most reliable way to ensure that it is safe to handle. A more thorough process is needed. Option B: Checking if the safety is on is a good step in firearm safety, but it should not be the only step. In some cases, the safety could be broken or disabled, and the gun may still be loaded and ready to fire. Option D: Relying solely on someone else's assurance that a firearm is safe can be dangerous. It is important to be able to assess the safety of a firearm on your own. The best way to ensure a firearm is safe to handle is by following proper gun safety protocols, which include ensuring that the gun is unloaded and checking the chamber and action. This means physically opening and inspecting the chamber and action to make sure there are no bullets or rounds in the gun. Additionally, you should also keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Remember, it is always better to be overly cautious when handling a firearm to avoid accidents and injuries.