California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

Which firearm safety device prevents a gun from being loaded or fired by a child?

1. Trigger lock

2. Cable lock

3. Gun case

4. Chamber lock

The correct answer is: Trigger lock

The correct answer is a trigger lock. This device is specifically designed to prevent the trigger from being pulled, effectively making it impossible for the firearm to be fired. By securing the mechanism that operates the trigger, a trigger lock serves as an important safety measure, especially when firearms are stored in households where children might have access to them. A trigger lock is effective at keeping a gun safe from being fired while still allowing for the possibility of the firearm being stored in other standard ways. Other options like a cable lock prevent the firearm from being loaded or fired by blocking the action, and a chamber lock serves a similar purpose by blocking the chamber where the ammunition is housed. However, each of these devices functions differently compared to how a trigger lock directly prevents the actual firing mechanism from being activated. Gun cases provide a means to securely store firearms but do not actively prevent them from being fired if a child gains access to the case. Therefore, while all these safety devices contribute to overall firearm safety, a trigger lock is the most direct answer to the question regarding preventing a gun from being loaded or fired by a child.