California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

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Prepare effectively for the California Firearm Safety Certificate Test with our comprehensive quiz, featuring multiple-choice questions and valuable explanations. Equip yourself with the knowledge necessary to excel in your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Before cleaning a firearm, what is the first step you should take?

  1. Pull the trigger to ensure it is not loaded

  2. Disassemble the firearm

  3. Ensure the firearm is not loaded

  4. Apply the safety catch

The correct answer is: Ensure the firearm is not loaded

The first step before cleaning a firearm is to ensure that it is not loaded. This critical safety precaution helps prevent accidental discharges while handling the firearm, which could lead to serious injuries or fatalities. It’s essential to check both the chamber and the magazine to confirm that no ammunition is present. Once you have verified that the firearm is unloaded, you can safely proceed to other steps, such as applying the safety catch or disassembling the firearm for cleaning. However, the foremost priority is ensuring that the firearm is in a safe state before you begin any maintenance work.