+ must KNOW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026: Complete
Practice Test
Section 1: The Six Basic Gun Safety Rules (20 Questions)
1. What is the FIRST and most important rule of firearm safety?
A. Keep the gun locked in a safe
B. Treat all guns as if they are loaded
C. Never point the gun at yourself
D. Use only the correct ammunition
Answer💜💜: B. Treat all guns as if they are loaded
Rationale: This is the foundational rule. Even if you believe a gun is unloaded, you
must handle it with the same respect and caution as a loaded one to prevent
accidental discharge and injury.
2. The "safe direction" rule means you should always point the gun:
A. Up into the air
B. Down at the ground
,C. In a direction where an accidental discharge will not cause injury or damage
D. Toward the target, even if you aren't ready to shoot
Answer💜💜: C. In a direction where an accidental discharge will not cause
injury or damage
Rationale: A safe direction is context-dependent. It is the direction that ensures
that if the gun were to fire, it would not hit a person, pet, or property.
3. Where should your finger be placed if you are not ready to shoot?
A. On the trigger
B. Inside the trigger guard, resting on the trigger
C. Outside the trigger guard, along the frame of the gun
D. Wrapped around the grip
Answer💜💜: C. Outside the trigger guard, along the frame of the gun
Rationale: This is known as "trigger discipline." Keeping your finger off the trigger
and outside the trigger guard until your sights are on target prevents a reflexive or
startled pull that could cause a negligent discharge.
4. What should you do before firing at a target?
A. Identify your target and what is beyond it
B. Make sure the safety is on
,C. Close one eye for better aim
D. Check that the ammunition is cheap
Answer💜💜: A. Identify your target and what is beyond it
Rationale: Bullets can pass through targets or miss them entirely. You are
responsible for every projectile you fire. You must know what is in the background
to avoid injuring bystanders or damaging property.
5. When handling a firearm you are unfamiliar with, you should:
A. Assume it works just like your other guns
B. Read the instruction manual and learn how to properly operate it
C. Remove the magazine and assume it's unloaded
D. Test the trigger pull immediately
Answer💜💜: B. Read the instruction manual and learn how to properly operate
it
Rationale: Not all firearms operate the same way. Knowing the mechanical
characteristics, including how to load, unload, and clear malfunctions, is a core
safety rule.
6. How should guns and ammunition be stored?
A. Together, in the most accessible place for home defense
, B. Separately, in locked containers
C. In a closet, as long as they are hidden
D. Ammunition in the gun, with the safety on
Answer💜💜: B. Separately, in locked containers
Rationale: Storing guns and ammunition separately adds a critical layer of
security. It prevents unauthorized users (like children) from having a functional
weapon even if they find one component.
7. True or False: It is safe to fire at a target that is just a "sound" or a
"movement" in the bushes.
A. True
B. False
Answer💜💜: B. False
Rationale: You must positively identify your target. Firing at sound, color, or
movement alone is extremely dangerous and could lead to shooting a person or
an animal you did not intend to.
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the six basic safety rules?
A. Know your target and what is beyond it
B. Use a gun scope for better accuracy