BSIS Firearm Written Exam Questions and
Answers | 2026/2027 Edition | California
Exposed Firearm Permit | Complete Test Bank
for Certification Study Guide
SECTION 1: FIREARM SAFETY RULES (Questions 1-15)
Q1: Which of the following is the FIRST rule of firearm safety?
● A) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
● B) Be sure of your target and what is beyond it
● C) Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
● D) Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first and most important rule is to treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
This mindset prevents accidents regardless of actual condition.
Q2: When handling a firearm, where should your finger be placed until you are ready to
shoot?
● A) On the trigger
● B) On the trigger guard
● C) Outside the trigger guard, along the frame
● D) Under the trigger guard
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keep your finger straight and off the trigger, outside the trigger guard, until
your sights are on the target.
,Q3: Before handing a firearm to another person, you should:
● A) Remove the magazine and lock the slide back
● B) Unload it and check the chamber
● C) Tell them it's unloaded
● D) Point it in a safe direction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Always unload and visually and physically check the chamber before handing
a firearm to another person. Never assume it's unloaded.
Q4: When storing firearms at home, they should be:
● A) Loaded and accessible for home defense
● B) Unloaded and locked in a safe or with a trigger lock
● C) Hidden under the bed
● D) Kept with ammunition in the same compartment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California law requires firearms to be stored unloaded and locked (safe,
trigger lock, locked container) to prevent access by unauthorized persons, especially
children.
Q5: While cleaning a firearm, you should always:
● A) Work on a clean surface with good lighting
● B) Ensure the firearm is unloaded
● C) Point the muzzle in a safe direction
● D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All safety rules apply during cleaning. Ensure unloaded, safe direction, and
proper environment.
,Q6: What should you do if a firearm fails to fire when you pull the trigger?
● A) Look down the barrel to check for obstruction
● B) Keep pointing in safe direction, wait 30 seconds, then unload carefully
● C) Immediately eject the round
● D) Try again with more force
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a round fails to fire, keep muzzle pointed safe, wait 30 seconds (possible
hang fire), then carefully unload and inspect.
Q7: When transporting a firearm in a vehicle in California, it should be:
● A) Loaded and within reach
● B) Unloaded and in a locked container
● C) On the seat next to you
● D) In the glove compartment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California law requires firearms to be unloaded and transported in a locked
container. Glove compartment (D) is not considered a locked container unless it locks.
Q8: The safety mechanism on a firearm is:
● A) A substitute for safe handling
● B) A mechanical device that can fail
● C) Always reliable
● D) Not needed if you're careful
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safeties are mechanical and can fail. Never rely on safety alone; always
follow the four basic safety rules.
Q9: What is the safest direction to point a firearm?
, ● A) Up in the air
● B) Down at the ground
● C) Toward a backstop that can safely stop a bullet
● D) Any direction if you know it's unloaded
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Point only at a safe backstop that can stop a bullet. Up in the air (A) risks
falling bullets. Down (B) may ricochet.
Q10: Before cleaning a firearm, you should:
● A) Verify it is unloaded by checking the chamber and magazine
● B) Remove the magazine only
● C) Point it in a safe direction
● D) Both A and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Verify unloaded and point safe direction. Magazine removal alone is
insufficient (round may be in chamber).
Q11: A "hang fire" is:
● A) A firearm that won't fire
● B) A delayed ignition of the cartridge
● C) A misfire
● D) A squib load
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hang fire is a delay between primer strike and ignition. Keep muzzle pointed
safe for 30 seconds.
Q12: What should you do if you hear an unusual sound or feel a weak recoil when firing?
● A) Continue firing
● B) Stop firing, unload, and check for barrel obstruction
Answers | 2026/2027 Edition | California
Exposed Firearm Permit | Complete Test Bank
for Certification Study Guide
SECTION 1: FIREARM SAFETY RULES (Questions 1-15)
Q1: Which of the following is the FIRST rule of firearm safety?
● A) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
● B) Be sure of your target and what is beyond it
● C) Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
● D) Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first and most important rule is to treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
This mindset prevents accidents regardless of actual condition.
Q2: When handling a firearm, where should your finger be placed until you are ready to
shoot?
● A) On the trigger
● B) On the trigger guard
● C) Outside the trigger guard, along the frame
● D) Under the trigger guard
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keep your finger straight and off the trigger, outside the trigger guard, until
your sights are on the target.
,Q3: Before handing a firearm to another person, you should:
● A) Remove the magazine and lock the slide back
● B) Unload it and check the chamber
● C) Tell them it's unloaded
● D) Point it in a safe direction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Always unload and visually and physically check the chamber before handing
a firearm to another person. Never assume it's unloaded.
Q4: When storing firearms at home, they should be:
● A) Loaded and accessible for home defense
● B) Unloaded and locked in a safe or with a trigger lock
● C) Hidden under the bed
● D) Kept with ammunition in the same compartment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California law requires firearms to be stored unloaded and locked (safe,
trigger lock, locked container) to prevent access by unauthorized persons, especially
children.
Q5: While cleaning a firearm, you should always:
● A) Work on a clean surface with good lighting
● B) Ensure the firearm is unloaded
● C) Point the muzzle in a safe direction
● D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All safety rules apply during cleaning. Ensure unloaded, safe direction, and
proper environment.
,Q6: What should you do if a firearm fails to fire when you pull the trigger?
● A) Look down the barrel to check for obstruction
● B) Keep pointing in safe direction, wait 30 seconds, then unload carefully
● C) Immediately eject the round
● D) Try again with more force
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a round fails to fire, keep muzzle pointed safe, wait 30 seconds (possible
hang fire), then carefully unload and inspect.
Q7: When transporting a firearm in a vehicle in California, it should be:
● A) Loaded and within reach
● B) Unloaded and in a locked container
● C) On the seat next to you
● D) In the glove compartment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California law requires firearms to be unloaded and transported in a locked
container. Glove compartment (D) is not considered a locked container unless it locks.
Q8: The safety mechanism on a firearm is:
● A) A substitute for safe handling
● B) A mechanical device that can fail
● C) Always reliable
● D) Not needed if you're careful
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safeties are mechanical and can fail. Never rely on safety alone; always
follow the four basic safety rules.
Q9: What is the safest direction to point a firearm?
, ● A) Up in the air
● B) Down at the ground
● C) Toward a backstop that can safely stop a bullet
● D) Any direction if you know it's unloaded
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Point only at a safe backstop that can stop a bullet. Up in the air (A) risks
falling bullets. Down (B) may ricochet.
Q10: Before cleaning a firearm, you should:
● A) Verify it is unloaded by checking the chamber and magazine
● B) Remove the magazine only
● C) Point it in a safe direction
● D) Both A and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Verify unloaded and point safe direction. Magazine removal alone is
insufficient (round may be in chamber).
Q11: A "hang fire" is:
● A) A firearm that won't fire
● B) A delayed ignition of the cartridge
● C) A misfire
● D) A squib load
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hang fire is a delay between primer strike and ignition. Keep muzzle pointed
safe for 30 seconds.
Q12: What should you do if you hear an unusual sound or feel a weak recoil when firing?
● A) Continue firing
● B) Stop firing, unload, and check for barrel obstruction
