New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

In what circumstances is it safe to shoot a firearm over water?

1. Never, because the bullet can ricochet

2. Always, if you're using birdshot

3. Only when target shooting

4. When fishing with a special permit

The correct answer is: Never, because the bullet can ricochet

The correct answer emphasizes that it is never safe to shoot a firearm over water due to the risk of ricocheting bullets. When a bullet strikes water, it can bounce off at unpredictable angles, potentially endangering people, property, and wildlife in the vicinity. Water does not absorb the energy of the bullet in the same way that safer backdrops, like earth or sand, might. Therefore, the inherent danger of ricocheting projectiles makes shooting over water unsafe. Other options suggest scenarios that could imply safety, such as using birdshot or specific activities like target shooting or fishing. However, these do not mitigate the fundamental truth that bullets can ricochet off water, rendering any shooting over it a hazardous practice. Safety protocols in firearms training consistently advocate for consideration of the entire environment, reinforcing that shooting over water is never a safe choice.