FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Safe Storage and Childproofing Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What are the two California-approved methods of safely storing a firearm in a residence where children under 18 are present?

Accepted Answer

In a locked container (gun safe, locked case) OR secured with an approved safety device such as a trigger lock or cable lock

Answer

California Penal Code Section 25135 recognizes two methods of compliant storage when a child under 18 is present: (1) storing the firearm in a locked container (gun safe, locked carrying case, lock box), or (2) securing the firearm with a DOJ-approved safety device such as a trigger lock or cable lock through the action. Simple placement out of reach does not comply.

Question 2

What is the California "unsafe storage" statute and what penalties can apply?

Accepted Answer

California Penal Code 25100-25135: criminal penalties up to felony charges if a child under 18 gains access to a negligently stored firearm and uses it to harm themselves or others, bring it to school, or brandish it

Answer

California Penal Code 25100-25135 imposes criminal liability on firearm owners who negligently store firearms in a way that allows a person under 18 to gain access. Penalties range from infraction to misdemeanor to felony depending on whether the child caused injury, death, or brought the gun to school. The law recognizes a safe storage defense if approved storage methods were used.

Question 3

A gun safe is rated "pry-resistant." What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

The safe's door and body are reinforced to resist forcible entry attempts using common tools within a specified time frame

Answer

Pry-resistant ratings on gun safes indicate the level of forced-entry resistance. Higher-quality safes have reinforced steel bodies, anti-pry bars around the door, and recessed hinges to resist crowbars and similar tools for a specified time. This delays thieves but no safe is impervious to all tools given unlimited time. California does not have a mandatory pry-resistance standard for private storage.

Question 4

What is the safest location for a trigger lock key or safe combination in a home with children?

Accepted Answer

In a separate secure location that children cannot access, such as in a wallet kept on your person or in a separate locked area

Answer

Storing a trigger lock key or safe combination in an accessible location near the firearm defeats the purpose of the safety device. The combination or key should be stored separately in a location inaccessible to children — such as in a wallet on the owner's person, memorized, or stored in a separate secure location. Writing the combination on a card kept near the safe is a serious security failure.

Question 5

What type of gun safe provides the highest level of both security and quick access for home defense?

Accepted Answer

A biometric (fingerprint) quick-access safe that allows rapid authorized access while preventing unauthorized access

Answer

A biometric quick-access safe combines security with accessibility for home defense. Fingerprint scanners can open the safe in under a second for the registered user, while preventing unauthorized access by those without registered fingerprints. For redundancy, quality biometric safes also have a PIN backup. Full-size safes are excellent for large collections but slower to open.

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Test

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Test

FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Safe Storage and Childproofing Questions and Answers 2