Free Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Questions and Answers Part 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Is it appropriate to keep a loaded gun on property where kids can access it?
- Yes
- No (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No
No, it is never appropriate to keep a loaded gun on property where children can access it. This practice creates an extremely dangerous situation with a high risk of accidental discharge, injury, or fatality. Responsible firearm ownership mandates secure storage, such as in a locked container, to prevent unauthorized access by minors.
Question 2: What components of a shotgun shell or a cartridge are not present?
- Choke (Correct answer)
- Wad
- Slug
- Bullet
Correct answer: Choke
A choke is a constriction found at the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel, designed to control the spread of the shot pattern. It is a part of the firearm itself, not a component contained within a shotgun shell or cartridge. Shotgun shells typically contain components like the primer, powder, wad, and shot or a slug.
Question 3: What kinds of sights do people who shoot handguns use?
- Red-dot
- Open-sight
- Telescopic
- The entire list above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The entire list above
Handgun shooters utilize a variety of sight types to aim their firearms, depending on their preferences and the intended use. This includes traditional open sights (consisting of a front and rear sight), modern red-dot sights for quick target acquisition, and even telescopic sights for specialized long-range or precision shooting with certain handguns. Therefore, all listed options are types of sights used.
Question 4: Under which of the following conditions is it generally acceptable to carry a concealed handgun in public?
- You were honorably discharged from the military
- You are in an unsafe area
- You are an experienced gun handler and know all of the safety rules
- None of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: None of the above
Carrying a concealed handgun in public is generally illegal without a specific permit, known as a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit, which is issued by local law enforcement under strict legal guidelines. Personal circumstances like military service, perceived danger, or experience do not automatically grant the legal right to carry a concealed firearm. Therefore, none of the listed conditions are generally acceptable on their own.
Question 5: The initial round put into a magazine pushes against the:
- Magazine plug
- Leader
- Magazine spring
- Follower (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Follower
When loading a magazine, the initial round inserted pushes against the follower. The follower is a component inside the magazine that rests on top of the magazine spring, providing a platform for the cartridges. As rounds are added, the follower compresses the spring, allowing more cartridges to be loaded.
Question 6: Black and smokeless powder can be used interchangeably.
- Correct
- Wrong (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Wrong
No, black powder and smokeless powder are fundamentally different propellants and must never be used interchangeably. Smokeless powder generates significantly higher pressures than black powder, and using it in a firearm designed for black powder can lead to catastrophic failure of the firearm, resulting in severe injury or death to the shooter.
Question 7: Rules for Kids Rule #4 reads as follows:
- Tell an Adult (Correct answer)
- Don't touch
- Stop!
- Leave the Area
Correct answer: Tell an Adult
Many firearm safety programs for children, such as the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, teach a four-step rule to follow if they encounter a gun. Rule #4 specifically instructs children to 'Tell an Adult.' This emphasizes the importance of immediately informing a responsible adult about the presence of a firearm, rather than touching or playing with it.
Question 8: What is the most secure location to keep a gun?
- Hidden out of sight
- At a neighbor's house
- On a high shelf
- In a locked container (Correct answer)
Correct answer: In a locked container
The most secure location to keep a gun is in a locked container, such as a gun safe or lockbox, with ammunition stored separately and also locked. This method prevents unauthorized access, especially by children or individuals who might misuse the firearm. Secure storage is crucial for preventing accidental shootings, suicides, and theft.
Question 9: In the end, who is in charge of making sure that children cannot get a firearm?
- Law enforcement
- The owner of the firearm (Correct answer)
- The child's parents
- Children and their friends
Correct answer: The owner of the firearm
The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that children cannot access a firearm rests with the owner of the firearm. Firearm owners have a legal and ethical obligation to store their guns securely, typically unloaded and in a locked container, to prevent accidental injury, misuse, or theft by minors. This proactive measure is critical for child safety.
Question 10: What lessons regarding guns should adults impart to children?
- Nothing until they are much older
- How to lock and unlock a gun safe
- That guns are not toys (Correct answer)
- That guns are inherently evil
Correct answer: That guns are not toys
The most crucial lesson adults should impart to children about guns is that 'guns are not toys.' This fundamental understanding helps children grasp the serious and dangerous nature of firearms. Emphasizing this distinction is vital for preventing accidental shootings and ensuring children know never to touch a gun without adult supervision.
Question 11: You must show the following before getting a gun:
- You can safely handle the firearm (Correct answer)
- You can pass a drug test
- You can tell the difference between a dummy round and a live round
- You can effectively strike a target at five yards
Correct answer: You can safely handle the firearm
Before acquiring a firearm, many jurisdictions require individuals to demonstrate their ability to safely handle the weapon. This often involves passing a firearm safety course or a practical demonstration of safe operation and storage. This requirement ensures that new gun owners possess the basic knowledge and skills necessary to prevent accidents and responsibly manage their firearm.
Question 12: The revolver has double actions:
- Has two barrels
- May still be loaded even with the magazine removed
- Fires two shots at a time
- Cocks and releases the hammer with a single trigger pull (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cocks and releases the hammer with a single trigger pull
A double-action revolver is characterized by its ability to cock the hammer and release it to fire the cartridge with a single, continuous pull of the trigger. This contrasts with a single-action revolver, which requires the hammer to be manually cocked before each shot. The double-action mechanism allows for quicker follow-up shots without manual cocking.
Question 13: Trigger discipline refers to:
- Building muscle strength in your trigger finger
- Keeping your finger off the trigger while handling the firearm (Correct answer)
- Respecting the firearms instructor
- A penalty for touching the trigger
Correct answer: Keeping your finger off the trigger while handling the firearm
Trigger discipline is a fundamental firearm safety rule that emphasizes keeping your finger straight along the frame of the firearm and outside the trigger guard. This practice ensures that the trigger is only engaged intentionally when the shooter is ready to fire, thereby preventing accidental discharges. It is a critical habit for safe firearm handling.
Question 14: How can you determine whether a semi-automatic gun is empty?
- Pull back the slide, then remove the magazine
- Visually inspect each cylinder
- Remove the magazine, then pull the slide back (Correct answer)
- b. Carefully inspect the barrel
Correct answer: Remove the magazine, then pull the slide back
To safely determine if a semi-automatic gun is empty, the correct procedure is to first remove the magazine, which holds the ammunition supply. After the magazine is detached, the slide should be pulled back and locked open. This action allows for a visual and physical inspection of the chamber to confirm that no round remains, ensuring the firearm is clear and safe.
Question 15: What propels a bullet is:
- Rapidly expanding gasses (Correct answer)
- A push from the hammer
- Rifling in the barrel
- Ballistic coefficients
Correct answer: Rapidly expanding gasses
A bullet is propelled by the rapid expansion of gasses generated from the combustion of gunpowder within the cartridge. When the primer is struck, it ignites the gunpowder, creating high-pressure gasses that push forcefully against the base of the bullet. This force drives the bullet down the barrel and out of the firearm at high velocity.
Question 16: How can you tell which ammunition calibers work with which guns?
- Pistol rounds can fit in a rifle, but rifle rounds cannot fit in a pistol
- If the ammunition fits in the firearm, it is the right ammunition to shoot
- Brass-cased ammunition is safe to shoot, while plastic-cased ammunition should be avoided
- Check the barrel, slide, or receiver for a stamp indicating the caliber of the firearm (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Check the barrel, slide, or receiver for a stamp indicating the caliber of the firearm
To ensure safe and proper operation, it is crucial to use the correct ammunition caliber for a firearm. Firearms are typically stamped on the barrel, slide, or receiver with their specific caliber designation. Always check this marking and match it precisely with the caliber indicated on the ammunition box to prevent dangerous malfunctions or damage to the firearm.
Is it appropriate to keep a loaded gun on property where kids can access it?