California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

What is TRUE about storing firearms and ammunition in a home with children?

1. Ammunition should be stored in the same locked container as the firearms

2. Firearms should be stored unloaded and locked away from ammunition

3. It's safe to store unloaded firearms on a high shelf out of reach

4. Children should be taught where the firearms are stored for emergencies

The correct answer is: Firearms should be stored unloaded and locked away from ammunition

The assertion that firearms should be stored unloaded and locked away from ammunition aligns with the recommended best practices for ensuring safety in households with children. This approach minimizes the risk of accidents by making it more difficult for children to access a loaded firearm. Storing firearms unloaded and in a secured manner separates them from ammunition, which adds an additional layer of safety, as it would require two steps for a child to have access to a loaded weapon. In contrast, although the other statements may appear to offer some level of safety, they do not adhere to the same standard of precaution. For example, storing ammunition in the same container as firearms could lead to a situation where firearms are easily loaded if a child manages to access them. Placing unloaded firearms on a high shelf may not be secure enough, as children can be resourceful and may find ways to reach or topple them. Lastly, teaching children the locations of firearms under the pretext of emergencies could inadvertently increase their curiosity and lead to unsafe situations, as it can encourage them to explore those areas without adult supervision. Hence, the practice of keeping firearms unloaded and stored separately from ammunition is a crucial measure in ensuring a safer environment for children in homes with firearms.