California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

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.

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following actions should be taken if a firearm fails to fire when the trigger is pulled?

Pull the trigger again
Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction and investigate the cause
Shake the firearm and try again
Immediately unload the firearm

The correct answer is: Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction and investigate the cause

When a firearm fails to fire after the trigger is pulled, it is essential to prioritize safety and take the appropriate steps to investigate the situation. Maintaining the firearm pointed in a safe direction reduces the risk of accidental discharge, which is crucial in any handling of firearms. By keeping the gun directed away from yourself and others, you ensure that if the firearm were to discharge unexpectedly, it would not pose a danger. Investigating the cause of the malfunction is also an important step because it helps identify whether the issue is related to the ammunition, the firearm itself, or another factor. This approach is more responsible than simply pulling the trigger repeatedly or shaking the firearm, both of which can increase the risk of an unintended discharge. Unloading the firearm is necessary in a malfunction situation, but it is best performed after ensuring it is pointed in a safe direction and diagnosing the issue first. This methodical approach to handling a malfunction reflects good safety practices and helps prevent accidents while allowing you to resolve the issue effectively.