New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

Which of the following actions should you take if your firearm fails to fire after pulling the trigger?

1. Shake the firearm

2. Immediately look down the barrel of the firearm

3. Keep it pointed in a safe direction and check the chamber

4. Unload and reload the firearm rapidly

The correct answer is: Keep it pointed in a safe direction and check the chamber

Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction and checking the chamber is the appropriate action to take if your firearm fails to fire after pulling the trigger. This step ensures safety first and foremost, which is paramount in handling firearms. By maintaining a safe direction, you minimize the risk of accidental discharge while you assess the situation. Checking the chamber allows you to determine whether there is a round present and if the firearm is functioning properly. The other actions could potentially place you at risk. Shaking the firearm might not resolve the issue and could lead to an unsafe situation. Looking down the barrel is inherently dangerous and could result in severe injury if a round were to discharge unexpectedly. Rapidly unloading and reloading the firearm may also introduce additional risks, including the possibility of mishandling or accidentally firing the weapon. Overall, prioritizing safety and methodically checking the status of the firearm is the best practice in such a scenario.