New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

What should you do if you fall or stumble while holding a firearm?

1. Try to catch yourself with your hands

2. Keep your finger on the trigger

3. Control the direction of the muzzle

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Control the direction of the muzzle

When you're handling a firearm and you stumble or fall, the most critical action to take is to control the direction of the muzzle. This means ensuring that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction, away from yourself and any bystanders. Safety protocols emphasize that the direction of the muzzle should always be managed to prevent accidental discharges, which could result in serious injury or damage. In the context of the other choices: attempting to catch yourself with your hands could lead to an unintentional movement that compromises firearm safety, especially if the firearm is not secured and falls awkwardly. Maintaining your finger on the trigger during such a moment is especially dangerous and increases the risk of an accidental discharge. Therefore, the priority in this scenario is to maintain muzzle control above all else, making your choice correct by focusing on the fundamental safety principle of firearm handling.