New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

Keeping your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot is a fundamental safety rule when handling firearms. This practice helps prevent accidental discharges and ensures that you only fire your weapon intentionally and when you have made the decision to shoot. By keeping your finger alongside the frame of the firearm until you are ready to fire, you minimize the risk of any unintended shots being fired. This rule applies whether you are carrying the gun, aiming, or transitioning between targets. Therefore, option C is the correct choice as it aligns with safe firearm handling practices. Option A (After shooting) is incorrect because even after firing a shot, you should immediately place your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard to prevent any unintentional firing. Option B (When handling the gun) is not the best choice because it is more specific to the moment when you are preparing to shoot rather than simply handling or carrying the firearm. Option D (While cleaning the firearm) is also incorrect because when cleaning a firearm, you should ensure it is unloaded and the finger should not be on the trigger under any circumstances, as cleaning is an activity where unintentional discharges can occur if safety protocols are not followed diligently.