CRFSC Firearm Safety Rules 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the safest way to carry a firearm when walking with others in the field?
- With the muzzle pointed toward the ground behind you
- With the muzzle always pointed in a safe direction, away from any person (Correct answer)
- With the action open and muzzle pointed upward
- Slung over the shoulder with the muzzle pointed toward the sky
Correct answer: With the muzzle always pointed in a safe direction, away from any person
The muzzle must always be kept pointed away from any person, regardless of carry method, to comply with the fundamental muzzle control rule.
Question 2: Under which condition is it permissible to rest your finger on the trigger of a firearm?
- When the safety is engaged
- When the action is open and the chamber is empty
- Only when you have identified your target and are ready to fire (Correct answer)
- When you are wearing shooting gloves
Correct answer: Only when you have identified your target and are ready to fire
Your finger should only contact the trigger when you have positively identified your target and made the conscious decision to fire.
Question 3: A friend hands you a firearm and says 'it's unloaded.' What should you do?
- Accept it at face value since they are a trusted person
- Perform the PROVE procedure yourself to confirm it is unloaded (Correct answer)
- Check the external indicator if the firearm has one and proceed
- Rack the slide once to confirm no round ejects
Correct answer: Perform the PROVE procedure yourself to confirm it is unloaded
You must always apply the PROVE procedure yourself regardless of what anyone else tells you, because you are responsible for your own safety.
Question 4: What is the recommended storage arrangement if a household includes both children and firearms?
- Teach children not to touch firearms and leave them accessible but unloaded
- Store firearms locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately and out of children's reach (Correct answer)
- Keep firearms in a biometric safe so only adults can access them quickly
- Store firearms in a high location that children cannot reach without a ladder
Correct answer: Store firearms locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately and out of children's reach
Canadian safe storage regulations require firearms to be locked and unloaded, and best practice separates ammunition in a locked location inaccessible to children.
Question 5: Why should you never look down the barrel of a firearm to check if it is loaded?
- It can scratch the bore's rifling and affect accuracy
- The barrel is too dark to see anything useful
- If the firearm discharges, the shooter would be directly in the path of the bullet (Correct answer)
- It is only safe to do if the bolt is removed first
Correct answer: If the firearm discharges, the shooter would be directly in the path of the bullet
Looking down the barrel exposes your face directly to the muzzle; any unintended discharge would cause fatal injury.
Question 6: What should you do if you hear an unusual sound or feel unexpected resistance when firing?
- Fire one more round to clear any potential obstruction
- Stop firing immediately, unload the firearm, and inspect the barrel for an obstruction (Correct answer)
- Engage the safety and have a gunsmith look at it later
- Shake the firearm to free any lodged components before continuing
Correct answer: Stop firing immediately, unload the firearm, and inspect the barrel for an obstruction
An unusual sound or resistance may indicate a squib load or barrel obstruction; firing again could cause the barrel to burst and injure the shooter.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a component of the ACTS safe-handling rules?
- Assume every firearm is loaded
- Control the muzzle direction
- Test the trigger pull before shooting (Correct answer)
- See your target and what is beyond it
Correct answer: Test the trigger pull before shooting
ACTS stands for Assume loaded, Control muzzle, Trigger finger off trigger until ready, See your target — testing trigger pull is not part of ACTS.
CRFSC Firearm Safety Rules 5
What is the safest way to carry a firearm when walking with others in the field?