ACT 235 Firearms Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'muzzle discipline' as it applies to ACT 235 firearms training?
- Cleaning the muzzle after every use
- Controlling the direction of the barrel so it never points at anything you are not willing to destroy (Correct answer)
- Attaching a suppressor to reduce noise
- Using only approved ammunition brands
Correct answer: Controlling the direction of the barrel so it never points at anything you are not willing to destroy
Muzzle discipline means maintaining constant awareness of where the barrel is pointed, ensuring it never covers an unintended target.
Question 2: What should an ACT 235 officer do if they discover their duty firearm has been dropped and may have been damaged?
- Continue using it since modern firearms are drop-safe
- Have it inspected by a qualified armorer before returning it to service (Correct answer)
- Test-fire it to see if it still works
- Disassemble it in the field to check for damage
Correct answer: Have it inspected by a qualified armorer before returning it to service
A dropped firearm should be inspected by a qualified armorer before further use to ensure it is mechanically safe.
Question 3: Which of the following describes a 'double-action' revolver trigger system?
- The trigger must be pulled twice to fire one round
- Pulling the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer in a single pull (Correct answer)
- Two triggers must be pressed simultaneously to fire
- The revolver fires automatically after the first round
Correct answer: Pulling the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer in a single pull
A double-action trigger cocks and releases the hammer in a single, longer trigger pull, enabling firing without manually cocking the hammer.
Question 4: What is the correct response if an ACT 235 officer observes another officer carelessly pointing a firearm at a fellow officer?
- Ignore it to avoid conflict with a colleague
- Immediately and calmly correct the behavior and report it to a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Wait until the end of the shift to mention it
- Only intervene if the firearm appears to be loaded
Correct answer: Immediately and calmly correct the behavior and report it to a supervisor
Unsafe firearm handling must be corrected immediately regardless of who is involved — all firearms are treated as loaded at all times.
Question 5: What does 'know your target and what is beyond it' mean in the context of ACT 235 training?
- Officers must identify suspects by name before engaging
- A bullet can travel through or past a target, so the officer must be aware of what lies beyond (Correct answer)
- Officers must always use hollow-point ammunition
- Officers should aim at the target's center mass only
Correct answer: A bullet can travel through or past a target, so the officer must be aware of what lies beyond
Bullets can penetrate targets and continue traveling, making it essential to be aware of what lies beyond the intended target to prevent unintended casualties.
Question 6: Under ACT 235, what is required of an armed security officer whose certification lapses?
- They may continue working for up to 90 days
- They must immediately cease carrying a firearm until recertified (Correct answer)
- They need only complete a written refresher exam
- Their employer may grant a 30-day extension
Correct answer: They must immediately cease carrying a firearm until recertified
An officer whose ACT 235 certification has lapsed is no longer authorized to carry a lethal weapon in a security capacity and must stop until recertified.
Question 7: What is the recommended grip technique for accurately firing a semi-automatic pistol?
- Dominant hand only with fingers loosely wrapped
- High, firm two-handed grip with the non-dominant hand filling the space under the trigger guard (Correct answer)
- Holding the pistol at arm's length with one finger on the slide
- Loose grip to absorb recoil naturally
Correct answer: High, firm two-handed grip with the non-dominant hand filling the space under the trigger guard
A high, firm two-handed grip maximizes control and consistency, improving accuracy and managing recoil effectively.
ACT 235 Firearms Safety 3
What is 'muzzle discipline' as it applies to ACT 235 firearms training?