New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

When should you keep your finger off the trigger?

1. After shooting

2. While cleaning the gun

3. Until you are ready to shoot

4. When the safety is on

The correct answer is: Until you are ready to shoot

Keeping your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot is a fundamental safety rule in firearms handling. This practice is designed to prevent accidental discharges. By ensuring your finger remains off the trigger unless you are in a situation where you have made the conscious decision to fire, you significantly reduce the risk of misfiring, thus promoting safer handling of firearms. The other scenarios, such as after shooting or while cleaning the gun, are also important aspects of firearm safety but do not capture the principle that applies universally to the act of handling a firearm. Ensuring that your finger remains off the trigger at all times until you are prepared to engage the target is the key takeaway in this context. When the safety is on, it provides an additional layer of protection, but it is still best practice to keep your finger away from the trigger until you are set to shoot.