NRA Basic Range Safety Officer (RSO) Test 150 Questions and Answers
1. What guide does an RSO use to inspect the range prior to conducting live
fire?
Answer: The NRA range manual and the SOP for the range.
Rationale: The NRA manual and site-specific SOPs provide checklists for
safety inspections to ensure the range is secure and ready.
2. Upon hearing the command "Cease fire," what should you do?
Answer: Stop shooting immediately, remain in place, and wait for further
instructions from the RSO.
Rationale: This ensures safety and prevents accidental discharge or
movement during potential hazards.
3. What does a range briefing include?
Answer: Purpose of the shooting event, range orientation (ready area, firing
line, limits, impact area), safety rules, firing line commands, and emergency
procedures.
Rationale: A thorough briefing prepares shooters and minimizes risks by
setting expectations.
4. What should range SOPs contain?
Answer: All of the above (articles of incorporation, regulations, emergency
plan; safety briefing, limits, dry fire; day-to-day details like security, opening
facility, range check).
, Rationale: SOPs are comprehensive documents guiding all range activities
for consistency and safety.
5. As an RSO, what should you do if a person on the range becomes seriously
ill or injured?
Answer: Call cease fire, take charge, render first aid, call 911, direct
emergency personnel, and have witnesses write statements.
Rationale: The RSO must control the situation to prevent further injury and
document for legal purposes.
6. If in doubt about the range rules, what should you do?
Answer: Refer to the range SOPs.
Rationale: SOPs are the authoritative source for site-specific rules.
7. When loading a muzzleloading rifle, you always?
Answer: Wipe and clear the barrel, pour powder into a measure then barrel,
point barrel safely, never place body in front of muzzle.
Rationale: These steps prevent accidental discharge and ensure safe
handling.
8. During live firing, where should the RSO be?
Answer: On the firing line to best observe the shooters.
Rationale: Direct observation allows immediate intervention if issues arise.
9. Whose duty is it to maintain order on the range?
, Answer: The RSO.
Rationale: The RSO is responsible for enforcing rules and ensuring safe
conduct.
10. When making sure a firearm is unloaded, what must be checked?
Answer: All of the above (action, chamber, magazine).
Rationale: Complete verification prevents accidents from overlooked
ammunition.
11. A shooter is loud and disruptive on the firing line and refuses to lower his
voice. You should?
Answer: Follow the instructions in the range SOPs.
Rationale: SOPs provide protocols for handling disruptions to maintain
safety.
12. Which is an example of a stoppage?
Answer: All of the above (stove-piped case in semi-auto, double feed in
pump shotgun, cylinder failure in revolver).
Rationale: Stoppages are unintentional interruptions in the cycle of
operation.
13. A hangfire is?
Answer: A perceptible delay in ignition after the primer is struck.
Rationale: Hangfires require waiting 30 seconds with muzzle pointed safely
downrange.
1. What guide does an RSO use to inspect the range prior to conducting live
fire?
Answer: The NRA range manual and the SOP for the range.
Rationale: The NRA manual and site-specific SOPs provide checklists for
safety inspections to ensure the range is secure and ready.
2. Upon hearing the command "Cease fire," what should you do?
Answer: Stop shooting immediately, remain in place, and wait for further
instructions from the RSO.
Rationale: This ensures safety and prevents accidental discharge or
movement during potential hazards.
3. What does a range briefing include?
Answer: Purpose of the shooting event, range orientation (ready area, firing
line, limits, impact area), safety rules, firing line commands, and emergency
procedures.
Rationale: A thorough briefing prepares shooters and minimizes risks by
setting expectations.
4. What should range SOPs contain?
Answer: All of the above (articles of incorporation, regulations, emergency
plan; safety briefing, limits, dry fire; day-to-day details like security, opening
facility, range check).
, Rationale: SOPs are comprehensive documents guiding all range activities
for consistency and safety.
5. As an RSO, what should you do if a person on the range becomes seriously
ill or injured?
Answer: Call cease fire, take charge, render first aid, call 911, direct
emergency personnel, and have witnesses write statements.
Rationale: The RSO must control the situation to prevent further injury and
document for legal purposes.
6. If in doubt about the range rules, what should you do?
Answer: Refer to the range SOPs.
Rationale: SOPs are the authoritative source for site-specific rules.
7. When loading a muzzleloading rifle, you always?
Answer: Wipe and clear the barrel, pour powder into a measure then barrel,
point barrel safely, never place body in front of muzzle.
Rationale: These steps prevent accidental discharge and ensure safe
handling.
8. During live firing, where should the RSO be?
Answer: On the firing line to best observe the shooters.
Rationale: Direct observation allows immediate intervention if issues arise.
9. Whose duty is it to maintain order on the range?
, Answer: The RSO.
Rationale: The RSO is responsible for enforcing rules and ensuring safe
conduct.
10. When making sure a firearm is unloaded, what must be checked?
Answer: All of the above (action, chamber, magazine).
Rationale: Complete verification prevents accidents from overlooked
ammunition.
11. A shooter is loud and disruptive on the firing line and refuses to lower his
voice. You should?
Answer: Follow the instructions in the range SOPs.
Rationale: SOPs provide protocols for handling disruptions to maintain
safety.
12. Which is an example of a stoppage?
Answer: All of the above (stove-piped case in semi-auto, double feed in
pump shotgun, cylinder failure in revolver).
Rationale: Stoppages are unintentional interruptions in the cycle of
operation.
13. A hangfire is?
Answer: A perceptible delay in ignition after the primer is struck.
Rationale: Hangfires require waiting 30 seconds with muzzle pointed safely
downrange.
