Firearm Safety Rules (ACTS/PROVE) Flashcards

According to the ACTS acronym for firearm safety, what is the first and most fundamental assumption a person must make when handling any firearm?

Answer: Assume every firearm is loaded.

The 'A' in ACTS stands for "Assume every firearm is loaded." This is the primary rule of firearm safety, requiring that every firearm be treated with the respect due to a loaded weapon until you have personally proven it safe.

You are handed a semi-automatic pistol by a friend at the shooting range. After pointing it in a safe direction and removing the magazine, what is the immediate next step in the PROVE procedure to ensure it is unloaded?

Answer: Observe the chamber to ensure it is empty.

The PROVE procedure is sequential. After Pointing the firearm in a safe direction and Removing all ammunition (including the magazine), the next step ('O') is to Observe the chamber to visually confirm that there is no cartridge in it.

Which of the following actions is a direct violation of the 'C' in the ACTS firearm safety rules?

Answer: Briefly pointing the firearm at the ceiling while adjusting your grip.

The 'C' in ACTS stands for "Control the muzzle direction at all times." Pointing the firearm at the ceiling, even briefly, means losing control of the muzzle and pointing it in an unsafe direction. A safe direction is one in which an accidental discharge would cause no injury or damage.

A hunter is crossing a fence. To do so safely, they unload their bolt-action rifle and hand it to their partner. What is the most critical safety step the partner should take immediately upon receiving the firearm?

Answer: Immediately open the action and visually inspect the chamber themselves.

This combines the 'S' in ACTS ("See that the firearm is unloaded - PROVE it safe") and the PROVE procedure itself. You must never take someone else's word that a firearm is safe. The first action upon receiving any firearm is to personally verify its status by pointing it in a safe direction and proving it unloaded.

When following the PROVE procedure, what does the step "Verify the feeding path" specifically require you to do?

Answer: Check for any cartridges that may be in the path between the magazine and the chamber.

The 'V' in PROVE stands for "Verify the feeding path." This involves physically and visually checking the path a cartridge takes from the magazine to the chamber to ensure no ammunition remains in the action after the chamber has been observed. This is distinct from simply removing the magazine or observing the chamber.

Which of the following statements best describes the rule concerning the trigger finger, as outlined in ACTS?

Answer: The trigger finger must be kept off the trigger and completely out of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.

The 'T' in ACTS is explicit: "Trigger finger must be kept off the trigger and out of the trigger guard." This prevents accidental or negligent discharges. The finger should only move to the trigger when the decision to shoot has been made and the firearm is pointed at the target.