ASO Firearms Safety and Proficiency Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An Armed Security Officer is on the firing range and their pistol fails to fire when they pull the trigger, producing only a 'click'. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action to take to clear this type of malfunction?
- Lock the slide to the rear, strip the magazine, and then re-rack the slide several times.
- Point the firearm in a safe direction and wait 30 seconds to see if it is a hang-fire.
- Tap the bottom of the magazine firmly, rack the slide to eject the misfed round and chamber a new one, and then reassess. (Correct answer)
- Visually inspect the ejection port to identify the cause of the stoppage before taking any action.
Correct answer: Tap the bottom of the magazine firmly, rack the slide to eject the misfed round and chamber a new one, and then reassess.
The 'Tap, Rack, Reassess' (or 'Tap, Rack, Bang') procedure is the universally taught immediate action drill for a failure-to-fire malfunction. Tapping the magazine ensures it is properly seated, and racking the slide ejects the faulty cartridge and chambers a new round, quickly getting the weapon back in operation. The other options are incorrect for an immediate action drill in a defensive context; waiting for a hang-fire is for non-threatening range situations, and a more complex disassembly is for a double-feed or other stoppage that doesn't clear with immediate action.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a fundamental principle of marksmanship, essential for an ASO's firearms proficiency?
- Rapid target acquisition
- Maintaining a wide, athletic stance
- A smooth, controlled trigger squeeze (Correct answer)
- Using the most powerful caliber available
Correct answer: A smooth, controlled trigger squeeze
The four fundamentals of marksmanship are steady position, proper aiming (sight alignment), breath control, and a smooth trigger squeeze. A smooth, controlled trigger squeeze is critical because it ensures the firearm's sights remain aligned with the target at the moment of firing. Jerking or slapping the trigger is a primary cause of inaccurate shots.
Question 3: An ASO is conducting a routine check of their semi-automatic pistol. Which part of the firearm is responsible for igniting the primer of the cartridge?
- Extractor
- Ejector
- Firing Pin (Correct answer)
- Hammer
Correct answer: Firing Pin
The firing pin is the component that strikes the primer of a cartridge with sufficient force to cause it to ignite the gunpowder. The hammer (on hammer-fired pistols) strikes the firing pin, but it is the pin itself that makes contact with the primer. The extractor removes the spent casing from the chamber, and the ejector expels it from the firearm.
Question 4: According to the universal rules of firearms safety, what must an ASO always be sure of before discharging their weapon?
- That they are using the correct shooting stance.
- Their target and what lies beyond it. (Correct answer)
- That a verbal warning has been issued.
- That the firearm's manual safety is disengaged.
Correct answer: Their target and what lies beyond it.
A critical and universal rule of firearm safety is to be sure of your target and what is beyond it. Bullets can penetrate through targets or miss entirely, posing a significant risk to anyone or anything in the background. An officer is responsible for every round they fire.
Question 5: While on duty, an ASO must securely store their firearm when not carrying it. Which of the following is the most appropriate method for securing a firearm?
- Placing it in a locked glove compartment in a vehicle.
- Hiding it in a discreet location within their assigned post.
- Using a trigger lock and storing it in a locked case or safe. (Correct answer)
- Leaving it with an unarmed security officer for safekeeping.
Correct answer: Using a trigger lock and storing it in a locked case or safe.
Firearms should be stored unloaded in a locked container, such as a safe or lock box, and secured with a firearms safety device like a trigger or cable lock. Ammunition should be stored separately. This prevents unauthorized access by children or other individuals. A glove compartment is not sufficiently secure and is a common target for theft.
Question 6: An ASO encounters a 'stovepipe' malfunction during a qualification course, where a spent casing is caught in the ejection port. This is classified as what type of malfunction?
- Failure to feed
- Double feed
- Failure to eject (Correct answer)
- Out-of-battery
Correct answer: Failure to eject
A 'stovepipe' is a classic example of a failure to eject, where the spent casing is not properly thrown clear of the firearm and becomes trapped in the ejection port. This is often cleared by the same 'Tap, Rack' immediate action drill used for a failure to fire.
ASO Firearms Safety and Proficiency Questions and Answers 1
An Armed Security Officer is on the firing range and their pistol fails to fire when they pull the trigger, producing only a 'click'.
What is the MOST appropriate immediate action to take to clear this type of malfunction?