NRA BASIC PISTOL
SHOOTING COURSE
LATEST TEST
2026/2027
SECTION 1: SAFETY RULES & RESPONSIBILITY (Questions 1-15)
Q1. The first and most important rule of safe gun handling is:
• A) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
• B) Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction
• C) Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to use
• D) Be sure of your target and what is beyond
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The NRA's first and most foundational safety rule is to always keep the
gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule because if followed, even
an accidental discharge will not cause injury .
,Q2. Before handling any firearm, you should:
• A) Load the firearm immediately
• B) Learn how the firearm operates and read the owner's manual
• C) Practice dry-firing first
• D) Clean the firearm thoroughly
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Before handling a gun, you must learn how it operates. Reading the
owner's manual for your specific firearm is essential to understand its unique safety
features and operation .
Q3. Your finger may contact the trigger when:
• A) The gun is pointed downrange
• B) You are ready to shoot
• C) You are cleaning the pistol
• D) You are loading the pistol
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The NRA Rule states: "Keep your finger off the trigger until your
sights are on the target and you have made the decision to fire." The trigger finger
should rest along the frame until you are actually ready to shoot .
Q4. When shooting a pistol, you should always:
• A) Focus only on the target
• B) Know your target and what is beyond
• C) Close your non-dominant eye
• D) Hold your breath completely
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
,Rationale: Being sure of your target and what is beyond is a fundamental safety
rule. Bullets can pass through targets or miss completely, so you must ensure the
area beyond is safe .
Q5. The safety on a pistol is best described as:
• A) A device that can always be relied upon
• B) A mechanical device that can fail
• C) A substitute for safe handling rules
• D) Required by law on all pistols
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: A safety is a mechanical device that can fail due to wear, dirt, or
manufacturing defects. It should never be relied upon as a substitute for following
the four fundamental safety rules .
Q6. You should always keep your gun ___________ until you are ready to use
it.
• A) Loaded
• B) Unloaded
• C) On safe
• D) In a case
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The NRA Rule states: "Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to
use." This means ammunition should not be in the chamber or magazine until you
are actually prepared to shoot .
Q7. Proper weapon handling is whose responsibility?
• A) The range safety officer
• B) The firearm manufacturer
, • C) The person in control of the weapon
• D) The gun store where purchased
Correct ,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: The ultimate responsibility for safe weapon handling rests with the
person who has physical control of the firearm at that moment. No one else can
ensure your safety .
Q8. The first 'Rule for Safe Gun Handling' can be ignored while dry-firing.
• A) True
• B) False
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: All safe gun handling rules apply at all times, including during dry-
firing practice. Even with an unloaded gun, you must follow the four fundamental
safety rules .
Q9. Both ear and eye protection are highly recommended whenever you are:
• A) Cleaning a pistol
• B) Firing live ammunition
• C) Transporting a pistol
• D) Storing a pistol
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Ear protection prevents hearing damage from the loud report of
gunfire, and eye protection prevents injury from flying debris, unburned powder,
or case ruptures .
Q10. When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you should:
• A) Immediately open the action to remove it
SHOOTING COURSE
LATEST TEST
2026/2027
SECTION 1: SAFETY RULES & RESPONSIBILITY (Questions 1-15)
Q1. The first and most important rule of safe gun handling is:
• A) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
• B) Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction
• C) Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to use
• D) Be sure of your target and what is beyond
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The NRA's first and most foundational safety rule is to always keep the
gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule because if followed, even
an accidental discharge will not cause injury .
,Q2. Before handling any firearm, you should:
• A) Load the firearm immediately
• B) Learn how the firearm operates and read the owner's manual
• C) Practice dry-firing first
• D) Clean the firearm thoroughly
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Before handling a gun, you must learn how it operates. Reading the
owner's manual for your specific firearm is essential to understand its unique safety
features and operation .
Q3. Your finger may contact the trigger when:
• A) The gun is pointed downrange
• B) You are ready to shoot
• C) You are cleaning the pistol
• D) You are loading the pistol
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The NRA Rule states: "Keep your finger off the trigger until your
sights are on the target and you have made the decision to fire." The trigger finger
should rest along the frame until you are actually ready to shoot .
Q4. When shooting a pistol, you should always:
• A) Focus only on the target
• B) Know your target and what is beyond
• C) Close your non-dominant eye
• D) Hold your breath completely
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
,Rationale: Being sure of your target and what is beyond is a fundamental safety
rule. Bullets can pass through targets or miss completely, so you must ensure the
area beyond is safe .
Q5. The safety on a pistol is best described as:
• A) A device that can always be relied upon
• B) A mechanical device that can fail
• C) A substitute for safe handling rules
• D) Required by law on all pistols
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: A safety is a mechanical device that can fail due to wear, dirt, or
manufacturing defects. It should never be relied upon as a substitute for following
the four fundamental safety rules .
Q6. You should always keep your gun ___________ until you are ready to use
it.
• A) Loaded
• B) Unloaded
• C) On safe
• D) In a case
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The NRA Rule states: "Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to
use." This means ammunition should not be in the chamber or magazine until you
are actually prepared to shoot .
Q7. Proper weapon handling is whose responsibility?
• A) The range safety officer
• B) The firearm manufacturer
, • C) The person in control of the weapon
• D) The gun store where purchased
Correct ,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: The ultimate responsibility for safe weapon handling rests with the
person who has physical control of the firearm at that moment. No one else can
ensure your safety .
Q8. The first 'Rule for Safe Gun Handling' can be ignored while dry-firing.
• A) True
• B) False
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: All safe gun handling rules apply at all times, including during dry-
firing practice. Even with an unloaded gun, you must follow the four fundamental
safety rules .
Q9. Both ear and eye protection are highly recommended whenever you are:
• A) Cleaning a pistol
• B) Firing live ammunition
• C) Transporting a pistol
• D) Storing a pistol
Correct ,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Ear protection prevents hearing damage from the loud report of
gunfire, and eye protection prevents injury from flying debris, unburned powder,
or case ruptures .
Q10. When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you should:
• A) Immediately open the action to remove it
