BSIS Firearm Written Exam Test Bank
(2025/2026)
Introduction
This test bank is designed to prepare candidates for the 2025/2026 BSIS Firearm
Written Exam for armed security personnel in California. It includes 50 multiple-
choice questions aligned with current California state law and Bureau of Secu-
rity and Investigative Services (BSIS) standards. Each question includes four an-
swer choices, a clearly marked correct answer, and a brief explanation or legal
reference based on the BSIS Firearms Training Manual (January 2022 update, as-
sumed valid for 2025/2026) and relevant California Penal Code sections. Topics
cover firearm safety, use of force, responsibilities of armed security personnel,
legal transport and storage, firearm malfunctions, and BSIS licensing require-
ments.
Question Bank
Question 1: What is the first step when picking up a firearm to ensure safe handling?
A. Check the magazine
B. Point the firearm in a safe direction
C. Pull the trigger to verify it is unloaded
D. Engage the safety mechanism
Correct Answer: B. Point the firearm in a safe direction
Explanation: Always point the firearm in a safe direction first to prevent
accidental injury, as per the fundamental rule of firearm safety. Check-
ing the magazine (A), pulling the trigger (C), or engaging the safety (D) are
subsequent steps. (BSIS Firearms Training Manual, Section V, p. 50)
Question 2: Under California law, when is an armed security guard justified in using
deadly force?
A. To prevent property theft
B. To respond to a verbal threat
C. To protect against imminent danger of death or great bodily injury
1
, D. To detain a fleeing suspect
Correct Answer: C. To protect against imminent danger of death or
great bodily injury
Explanation: Deadly force is only justified when there is an imminent
threat of death or great bodily injury (California Penal Code Section 197).
Options A, B, and D do not meet the legal threshold for deadly force. (BSIS
Firearms Training Manual, Section IX, p. 58)
Question 3: What documents must an armed security guard carry while on duty?
A. Concealed weapon permit
B. BSIS Firearms Permit and Security Guard Registration
C. Firearm Safety Certificate
D. Employer identification card
Correct Answer: B. BSIS Firearms Permit and Security Guard Registra-
tion
Explanation: Armed security guards must carry a valid BSIS Firearms Per-
mit and Security Guard Registration while on duty (Business and Profes-
sions Code Section 7583.23). Options A, C, and D are not required for armed
duties.
Question 4: How must a firearm be transported to a security guard’s duty location?
A. Loaded and holstered
B. Unloaded in a locked container
C. Loaded in a vehicle trunk
D. Concealed in a duty bag
Correct Answer: B. Unloaded in a locked container
Explanation: Firearms must be transported unloaded in a locked container
to comply with California law (Penal Code Section 25605). Loaded transport
(A, C) or concealed carry (D) without a CCW permit is illegal. (BSIS Firearms
Training Manual, p. 62)
Question 5: If a firearm fails to fire, what is the first action an armed security guard
should take?
A. Pull the trigger again
B. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
C. Eject the magazine
D. Inspect the chamber
Correct Answer: B. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
Explanation: Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction prevents ac-
cidents during a malfunction (BSIS Firearms Training Manual, Section VII,
2
(2025/2026)
Introduction
This test bank is designed to prepare candidates for the 2025/2026 BSIS Firearm
Written Exam for armed security personnel in California. It includes 50 multiple-
choice questions aligned with current California state law and Bureau of Secu-
rity and Investigative Services (BSIS) standards. Each question includes four an-
swer choices, a clearly marked correct answer, and a brief explanation or legal
reference based on the BSIS Firearms Training Manual (January 2022 update, as-
sumed valid for 2025/2026) and relevant California Penal Code sections. Topics
cover firearm safety, use of force, responsibilities of armed security personnel,
legal transport and storage, firearm malfunctions, and BSIS licensing require-
ments.
Question Bank
Question 1: What is the first step when picking up a firearm to ensure safe handling?
A. Check the magazine
B. Point the firearm in a safe direction
C. Pull the trigger to verify it is unloaded
D. Engage the safety mechanism
Correct Answer: B. Point the firearm in a safe direction
Explanation: Always point the firearm in a safe direction first to prevent
accidental injury, as per the fundamental rule of firearm safety. Check-
ing the magazine (A), pulling the trigger (C), or engaging the safety (D) are
subsequent steps. (BSIS Firearms Training Manual, Section V, p. 50)
Question 2: Under California law, when is an armed security guard justified in using
deadly force?
A. To prevent property theft
B. To respond to a verbal threat
C. To protect against imminent danger of death or great bodily injury
1
, D. To detain a fleeing suspect
Correct Answer: C. To protect against imminent danger of death or
great bodily injury
Explanation: Deadly force is only justified when there is an imminent
threat of death or great bodily injury (California Penal Code Section 197).
Options A, B, and D do not meet the legal threshold for deadly force. (BSIS
Firearms Training Manual, Section IX, p. 58)
Question 3: What documents must an armed security guard carry while on duty?
A. Concealed weapon permit
B. BSIS Firearms Permit and Security Guard Registration
C. Firearm Safety Certificate
D. Employer identification card
Correct Answer: B. BSIS Firearms Permit and Security Guard Registra-
tion
Explanation: Armed security guards must carry a valid BSIS Firearms Per-
mit and Security Guard Registration while on duty (Business and Profes-
sions Code Section 7583.23). Options A, C, and D are not required for armed
duties.
Question 4: How must a firearm be transported to a security guard’s duty location?
A. Loaded and holstered
B. Unloaded in a locked container
C. Loaded in a vehicle trunk
D. Concealed in a duty bag
Correct Answer: B. Unloaded in a locked container
Explanation: Firearms must be transported unloaded in a locked container
to comply with California law (Penal Code Section 25605). Loaded transport
(A, C) or concealed carry (D) without a CCW permit is illegal. (BSIS Firearms
Training Manual, p. 62)
Question 5: If a firearm fails to fire, what is the first action an armed security guard
should take?
A. Pull the trigger again
B. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
C. Eject the magazine
D. Inspect the chamber
Correct Answer: B. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
Explanation: Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction prevents ac-
cidents during a malfunction (BSIS Firearms Training Manual, Section VII,
2
