BSIS Firearm Written Exam – Test Bank –
2025/2026 | Complete Questions and
Answers for Certification | California
Exposed Firearm Permit
SECTION 1: FIREARM SAFETY
1. What is the FIRST rule of firearm safety?
• A) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
• B) Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
• C) Keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use
• D) Be sure of your target and what is beyond it
Answer: B. The first and most fundamental rule of firearm safety is to always keep
the firearm pointed in a safe direction. This prevents injury if an accidental
discharge occurs. The other rules (A, C, D) are also important but follow this
primary rule.
2. Before handling any firearm, the shooter should:
• A) Load the firearm immediately
• B) Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure it is unloaded
• C) Point the firearm at a target
• D) Place their finger on the trigger
,Answer: B. The shooter should always visually and physically inspect the chamber
to confirm the firearm is unloaded before handling it. This is a critical safety step
that must precede any handling.
3. When transporting a firearm to the range, it should be:
• A) Loaded and holstered
• B) Unloaded and properly secured in a case
• C) Carried with the finger on the trigger
• D) Loaded with the safety on
Answer: B. Firearms should be transported unloaded and properly secured in a
case or container to prevent accidental discharge and comply with transportation
laws.
4. Where should the muzzle of a firearm be pointed when it is not in use?
• A) Toward the ground
• B) At a target downrange
• C) In a safe direction, away from people and objects
• D) Toward the sky
Answer: C. The muzzle should always be pointed in a safe direction—away from
people and objects—at all times when the firearm is not being fired.
,5. What is the proper finger placement on a firearm when not ready to shoot?
• A) Finger on the trigger
• B) Finger outside the trigger guard, along the frame
• C) Finger on the trigger guard
• D) Finger wrapped around the grip
Answer: B. The finger should remain outside the trigger guard, indexed along the
frame, until the shooter is ready to fire. This prevents unintentional trigger contact.
6. What is "dry firing"?
• A) Firing a gun underwater
• B) Practicing trigger control with an unloaded firearm
• C) Firing a gun without eye protection
• D) Firing a gun with wet ammunition
Answer: B. Dry firing is the practice of squeezing the trigger on an unloaded firearm
to practice trigger control and sight alignment without the distraction of recoil.
7. When cleaning a firearm, the first step is to:
• A) Remove the magazine and clear the chamber
• B) Disassemble the firearm completely
• C) Apply cleaning solvent
• D) Run a cleaning rod through the barrel
, Answer: A. Before any cleaning or maintenance, the shooter must remove the
magazine, clear the chamber, and visually confirm the firearm is unloaded.
8. What should you do if you are unsure whether a firearm is loaded?
• A) Point it at the ground and pull the trigger
• B) Assume it is loaded and treat it as such
• C) Hand it to someone else to check
• D) Look down the barrel to check
Answer: B. A firearm should always be treated as if it is loaded, even if you believe
it is unloaded. This is a fundamental rule of firearm safety.
9. Firearm safety at home includes:
• A) Storing firearms and ammunition separately and securely
• B) Keeping the firearm loaded for quick access
• C) Storing the firearm under the bed
• D) Leaving the firearm in the open for visibility
Answer: A. Firearms should be stored unloaded, in a locked container, and
separately from ammunition to prevent unauthorized access.
10. The primary purpose of eye and ear protection at the range is to:
• A) Improve accuracy
2025/2026 | Complete Questions and
Answers for Certification | California
Exposed Firearm Permit
SECTION 1: FIREARM SAFETY
1. What is the FIRST rule of firearm safety?
• A) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
• B) Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
• C) Keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use
• D) Be sure of your target and what is beyond it
Answer: B. The first and most fundamental rule of firearm safety is to always keep
the firearm pointed in a safe direction. This prevents injury if an accidental
discharge occurs. The other rules (A, C, D) are also important but follow this
primary rule.
2. Before handling any firearm, the shooter should:
• A) Load the firearm immediately
• B) Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure it is unloaded
• C) Point the firearm at a target
• D) Place their finger on the trigger
,Answer: B. The shooter should always visually and physically inspect the chamber
to confirm the firearm is unloaded before handling it. This is a critical safety step
that must precede any handling.
3. When transporting a firearm to the range, it should be:
• A) Loaded and holstered
• B) Unloaded and properly secured in a case
• C) Carried with the finger on the trigger
• D) Loaded with the safety on
Answer: B. Firearms should be transported unloaded and properly secured in a
case or container to prevent accidental discharge and comply with transportation
laws.
4. Where should the muzzle of a firearm be pointed when it is not in use?
• A) Toward the ground
• B) At a target downrange
• C) In a safe direction, away from people and objects
• D) Toward the sky
Answer: C. The muzzle should always be pointed in a safe direction—away from
people and objects—at all times when the firearm is not being fired.
,5. What is the proper finger placement on a firearm when not ready to shoot?
• A) Finger on the trigger
• B) Finger outside the trigger guard, along the frame
• C) Finger on the trigger guard
• D) Finger wrapped around the grip
Answer: B. The finger should remain outside the trigger guard, indexed along the
frame, until the shooter is ready to fire. This prevents unintentional trigger contact.
6. What is "dry firing"?
• A) Firing a gun underwater
• B) Practicing trigger control with an unloaded firearm
• C) Firing a gun without eye protection
• D) Firing a gun with wet ammunition
Answer: B. Dry firing is the practice of squeezing the trigger on an unloaded firearm
to practice trigger control and sight alignment without the distraction of recoil.
7. When cleaning a firearm, the first step is to:
• A) Remove the magazine and clear the chamber
• B) Disassemble the firearm completely
• C) Apply cleaning solvent
• D) Run a cleaning rod through the barrel
, Answer: A. Before any cleaning or maintenance, the shooter must remove the
magazine, clear the chamber, and visually confirm the firearm is unloaded.
8. What should you do if you are unsure whether a firearm is loaded?
• A) Point it at the ground and pull the trigger
• B) Assume it is loaded and treat it as such
• C) Hand it to someone else to check
• D) Look down the barrel to check
Answer: B. A firearm should always be treated as if it is loaded, even if you believe
it is unloaded. This is a fundamental rule of firearm safety.
9. Firearm safety at home includes:
• A) Storing firearms and ammunition separately and securely
• B) Keeping the firearm loaded for quick access
• C) Storing the firearm under the bed
• D) Leaving the firearm in the open for visibility
Answer: A. Firearms should be stored unloaded, in a locked container, and
separately from ammunition to prevent unauthorized access.
10. The primary purpose of eye and ear protection at the range is to:
• A) Improve accuracy
