California Firearm Safety Certificate
(FSC) Exam: 100 Practice Questions
and Answer Explanations
Part One: Fundamental Safety Rules
(1–20)
1. Which of the following is one of the three fundamental NRA safety rules for handling
firearms?
A. Always keep the firearm unloaded when stored.
B. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
C. Only load the firearm when you intend to shoot.
D. Never use alcohol or drugs before shooting.
Answer: B
Explanation: The three core safety rules are: 1) Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe
direction; 2) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; 3) Keep the firearm
unloaded until ready to use .
2. Where should your finger be when you are not ready to shoot?
A. On the trigger
B. Inside the trigger guard
C. Off the trigger and outside the trigger guard
D. Resting on the hammer
Answer: C
Explanation: Keeping your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are
ready to shoot prevents accidental discharges .
3. When is a firearm considered "unloaded"?
A. When the magazine is removed
B. When the action is open and the chamber is empty
C. When the safety is on
D. When the firearm is in a case
Answer: B
Explanation: A firearm is only considered unloaded when the action is open and you have
visually and physically confirmed the chamber is empty. Removing the magazine alone does
not mean the firearm is unloaded .
,4. What is a "safe direction" for a firearm's muzzle?
A. Pointing at the ground near your feet
B. A direction where an accidental discharge would not cause injury or damage
C. Pointing upward at all times
D. Pointing toward a wall
Answer: B
Explanation: A safe direction is one where an unintentional discharge would not strike
people or property .
5. Which of the following is the most important rule of firearm safety?
A. Always use a holster
B. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
C. Only use firearms at a range
D. Always wear ear protection
Answer: B
Explanation: Treating every firearm as if it is loaded is the foundational safety rule
emphasized in all official training materials .
6. What should you do before handling any firearm?
A. Check that the safety is on
B. Ensure it is unloaded and the action is open
C. Put on gloves
D. Load it to test function
Answer: B
Explanation: Before handling any firearm, you should open the action and visually and
physically check that it is unloaded .
7. When handing a firearm to another person, what is the correct procedure?
A. Hand it over with your finger on the trigger for a faster exchange.
B. Open the action, ensure the firearm is unloaded, and present it with the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction.
C. Place it on the bench and slide it toward the other person.
D. Point the muzzle upward while handing it over.
Answer: B
Explanation: Always open the action, visually and physically check that the firearm is
unloaded, and keep the muzzle pointed downrange or in a safe direction .
8. What is the safest way to cross a fence or obstacle while carrying a firearm?
A. Jump over with the firearm in your hand.
B. Lay the firearm on the ground on the other side.
C. Unload the firearm, place it on the ground on the side you are on, cross, then retrieve it.
D. Hand the firearm to a companion while you climb over.
Answer: C
, Explanation: Unloading the firearm and placing it on the ground before crossing prevents
accidental discharge or loss of control .
9. What should you do if you drop your firearm?
A. Try to catch it before it hits the ground.
B. Let it fall and then carefully pick it up, checking for damage.
C. Immediately pick it up by the barrel.
D. Kick it to the side.
Answer: B
Explanation: Trying to catch a falling firearm can cause an accidental discharge. Let it fall and
then carefully retrieve it.
10. Which of the following is NOT a safe handling practice?
A. Keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
B. Keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
C. Relying on the firearm's safety mechanism to prevent discharge.
D. Keeping the firearm unloaded until ready to use.
Answer: C
Explanation: A safety mechanism is a mechanical device that can fail. It should never be
relied upon to prevent accidental discharge .
11. What is the proper way to store a firearm in a home where a child is likely to gain
access?
A. The firearm must be kept in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.
B. The firearm must be stored in a locked container or disabled with a locking device.
C. The firearm must be stored in a safe that weighs more than 50 pounds.
D. No special requirement; common sense is sufficient.
Answer: B
Explanation: California law (PC 25100) requires that when a person is not in immediate
control of a firearm and a child is likely to gain access, the firearm must be stored in a locked
container or disabled with a trigger lock .
12. What is the best way to prevent unauthorized access to a firearm?
A. Hiding it in a closet
B. Storing it in a locked container or with a locking device
C. Keeping it loaded on a nightstand
D. Telling children not to touch it
Answer: B
Explanation: Locked storage or a locking device is the most effective way to prevent
unauthorized access, especially by children .
13. What should you do with ammunition when storing a firearm?
A. Store it in the same container as the firearm
(FSC) Exam: 100 Practice Questions
and Answer Explanations
Part One: Fundamental Safety Rules
(1–20)
1. Which of the following is one of the three fundamental NRA safety rules for handling
firearms?
A. Always keep the firearm unloaded when stored.
B. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
C. Only load the firearm when you intend to shoot.
D. Never use alcohol or drugs before shooting.
Answer: B
Explanation: The three core safety rules are: 1) Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe
direction; 2) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; 3) Keep the firearm
unloaded until ready to use .
2. Where should your finger be when you are not ready to shoot?
A. On the trigger
B. Inside the trigger guard
C. Off the trigger and outside the trigger guard
D. Resting on the hammer
Answer: C
Explanation: Keeping your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are
ready to shoot prevents accidental discharges .
3. When is a firearm considered "unloaded"?
A. When the magazine is removed
B. When the action is open and the chamber is empty
C. When the safety is on
D. When the firearm is in a case
Answer: B
Explanation: A firearm is only considered unloaded when the action is open and you have
visually and physically confirmed the chamber is empty. Removing the magazine alone does
not mean the firearm is unloaded .
,4. What is a "safe direction" for a firearm's muzzle?
A. Pointing at the ground near your feet
B. A direction where an accidental discharge would not cause injury or damage
C. Pointing upward at all times
D. Pointing toward a wall
Answer: B
Explanation: A safe direction is one where an unintentional discharge would not strike
people or property .
5. Which of the following is the most important rule of firearm safety?
A. Always use a holster
B. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
C. Only use firearms at a range
D. Always wear ear protection
Answer: B
Explanation: Treating every firearm as if it is loaded is the foundational safety rule
emphasized in all official training materials .
6. What should you do before handling any firearm?
A. Check that the safety is on
B. Ensure it is unloaded and the action is open
C. Put on gloves
D. Load it to test function
Answer: B
Explanation: Before handling any firearm, you should open the action and visually and
physically check that it is unloaded .
7. When handing a firearm to another person, what is the correct procedure?
A. Hand it over with your finger on the trigger for a faster exchange.
B. Open the action, ensure the firearm is unloaded, and present it with the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction.
C. Place it on the bench and slide it toward the other person.
D. Point the muzzle upward while handing it over.
Answer: B
Explanation: Always open the action, visually and physically check that the firearm is
unloaded, and keep the muzzle pointed downrange or in a safe direction .
8. What is the safest way to cross a fence or obstacle while carrying a firearm?
A. Jump over with the firearm in your hand.
B. Lay the firearm on the ground on the other side.
C. Unload the firearm, place it on the ground on the side you are on, cross, then retrieve it.
D. Hand the firearm to a companion while you climb over.
Answer: C
, Explanation: Unloading the firearm and placing it on the ground before crossing prevents
accidental discharge or loss of control .
9. What should you do if you drop your firearm?
A. Try to catch it before it hits the ground.
B. Let it fall and then carefully pick it up, checking for damage.
C. Immediately pick it up by the barrel.
D. Kick it to the side.
Answer: B
Explanation: Trying to catch a falling firearm can cause an accidental discharge. Let it fall and
then carefully retrieve it.
10. Which of the following is NOT a safe handling practice?
A. Keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
B. Keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
C. Relying on the firearm's safety mechanism to prevent discharge.
D. Keeping the firearm unloaded until ready to use.
Answer: C
Explanation: A safety mechanism is a mechanical device that can fail. It should never be
relied upon to prevent accidental discharge .
11. What is the proper way to store a firearm in a home where a child is likely to gain
access?
A. The firearm must be kept in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.
B. The firearm must be stored in a locked container or disabled with a locking device.
C. The firearm must be stored in a safe that weighs more than 50 pounds.
D. No special requirement; common sense is sufficient.
Answer: B
Explanation: California law (PC 25100) requires that when a person is not in immediate
control of a firearm and a child is likely to gain access, the firearm must be stored in a locked
container or disabled with a trigger lock .
12. What is the best way to prevent unauthorized access to a firearm?
A. Hiding it in a closet
B. Storing it in a locked container or with a locking device
C. Keeping it loaded on a nightstand
D. Telling children not to touch it
Answer: B
Explanation: Locked storage or a locking device is the most effective way to prevent
unauthorized access, especially by children .
13. What should you do with ammunition when storing a firearm?
A. Store it in the same container as the firearm
