California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

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Prepare for your California Firearm Safety Certificate exam with our comprehensive practice tests. Master the key concepts and ensure your success with detailed explanations for every question.

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What should you do if you fail to fire a cartridge?

Try to fire again immediately
Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction and wait
Shake the gun and try again
Unload the gun immediately

The correct answer is: Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction and wait

Waiting and keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction is the appropriate action to take if a cartridge fails to fire. This is essential for ensuring safety, as there is a possibility that a cartridge may fire after some delay, known as "hangfire." By maintaining a safe direction and being cautious for a period of time, you significantly reduce the risk of an accidental discharge. Additionally, immediately trying to fire again can be dangerous, as it doesn't allow time for potential hangfire situations to resolve safely. Shaking the gun can destabilize the firearm and may unknowingly cause an unintended discharge. Unloading the gun at that moment might also lead to unsafe handling practices if the firearm is not pointed in a safe direction. Therefore, keeping the firearm pointed safely and waiting is the most prudent approach.