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What is a misfire?

  1. When a firearm fires without pulling the trigger

  2. When the trigger is pulled but the firearm does not fire

  3. A firearm discharging accidentally

  4. When a bullet fires, but there's no bullet impact

The correct answer is: When the trigger is pulled but the firearm does not fire

A misfire in firearms terminology refers to the situation when the trigger is pulled, but the firearm does not discharge or fire. This can happen due to various reasons such as a faulty cartridge, a failure in the firing pin mechanism, or issues with ammunition. It is essential for gun owners to be aware of misfires and know how to handle them safely to prevent any potential accidents or injuries. Option A is incorrect because a firearm firing without the trigger being pulled is referred to as an unintentional discharge, which is a serious safety concern. Option C is incorrect as a firearm discharging accidentally, also known as an accidental discharge, is different from a misfire, where the firearm does not discharge when the trigger is pulled. Option D is incorrect as it describes a scenario where a bullet is fired but does not hit the intended target, which is not the same as a misfire where the firearm does not fire at all when the trigger is pulled.