ACT 235 Firearms Safety 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct action when an ACT 235 officer must cross a barrier or climb an obstacle while carrying a holstered firearm?
- Draw the firearm and hold it while crossing
- Ensure the firearm is securely retained in the holster and cross carefully (Correct answer)
- Remove the firearm and slide it across the barrier first
- Ask a partner to hold the firearm during the crossing
Correct answer: Ensure the firearm is securely retained in the holster and cross carefully
The firearm should remain secured in the retention holster when navigating obstacles to prevent accidental discharge or dropping.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the Pennsylvania Lethal Weapons Training Act (ACT 235)?
- To license all Pennsylvania gun owners
- To establish minimum training and certification standards for privately employed armed security personnel (Correct answer)
- To regulate firearms dealers in Pennsylvania
- To create a database of all firearms in the state
Correct answer: To establish minimum training and certification standards for privately employed armed security personnel
ACT 235 was enacted to ensure that privately employed armed security officers meet minimum standards of training and competency in the use of lethal weapons.
Question 3: When performing a press check to verify a round is chambered, what is the safest method?
- Look down the barrel from the muzzle end
- Slightly retract the slide and visually/tactically confirm a round is chambered while keeping the muzzle in a safe direction (Correct answer)
- Pull the trigger with the finger and feel for resistance
- Remove the magazine and shake the firearm
Correct answer: Slightly retract the slide and visually/tactically confirm a round is chambered while keeping the muzzle in a safe direction
A press check involves slightly retracting the slide while keeping the muzzle pointed safely downrange to visually or tactilely confirm a chambered round.
Question 4: What is the legal standard for using deadly force under Pennsylvania law for ACT 235 officers?
- Any threat perceived by the officer justifies deadly force
- Deadly force is only justified when the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury (Correct answer)
- Deadly force may be used to prevent any felony
- Only supervisors may authorize the use of deadly force
Correct answer: Deadly force is only justified when the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury
Pennsylvania law permits deadly force only when an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or another person.
Question 5: What is 'flinching' in the context of firearms training, and how does it affect accuracy?
- Dropping the firearm due to recoil, which causes damage
- An anticipatory movement before the shot breaks that pulls the muzzle off target, reducing accuracy (Correct answer)
- A legal term for negligent discharge
- A holster malfunction that releases the firearm prematurely
Correct answer: An anticipatory movement before the shot breaks that pulls the muzzle off target, reducing accuracy
Flinching is an involuntary physical reaction to anticipated recoil or report that moves the muzzle off target before the round fires, reducing accuracy.
Question 6: After using their firearm in the line of duty, what should an ACT 235 officer do regarding their weapon?
- Clean and reload it immediately before speaking to anyone
- Secure the scene, render aid if safe, and follow agency protocol which typically includes surrendering the firearm (Correct answer)
- Discharge remaining rounds to document the incident
- Conceal the firearm and leave the scene
Correct answer: Secure the scene, render aid if safe, and follow agency protocol which typically includes surrendering the firearm
After a shooting, officers must follow established agency protocols, which typically include securing the scene, rendering aid, and surrendering the firearm for investigation.
Question 7: What does 'sight alignment' mean in basic marksmanship for ACT 235 training?
- Pointing the firearm in the general direction of the target
- The correct relationship between the rear sight, front sight, and the shooter's eye so all three are aligned (Correct answer)
- Adjusting the firearm's sights with a tool before each use
- Using a laser sight in place of iron sights
Correct answer: The correct relationship between the rear sight, front sight, and the shooter's eye so all three are aligned
Sight alignment is the proper alignment of the front sight post within the rear sight notch, centered and level, which is foundational to accurate shooting.
ACT 235 Firearms Safety 5
What is the correct action when an ACT 235 officer must cross a barrier or climb an obstacle while carrying a holstered firearm?