Rhode Island Blue Card Practice Test

What could happen to a firearm that is loaded, action closed, and has the safety on?

1. It will never fire

2. It may sometimes fire when dropped or struck sharply

3. It will automatically discharge

4. It could jam and become unusable

The correct answer is: It may sometimes fire when dropped or struck sharply

When a firearm is loaded, the action is closed, and the safety is engaged, there is still a risk of accidental discharge due to the potential for it to fire if dropped or struck sharply. While the safety mechanism is designed to prevent unintentional firing under normal conditions, it does not guarantee absolute safety in all situations. If the firearm receives a strong impact, it can still discharge if the internal mechanisms are affected. This highlights the importance of handling firearms with care, even when they are believed to be secured. The other scenarios presented do not accurately reflect the range of outcomes that could occur with a firearm in this condition. For instance, while it is unlikely that it will automatically discharge due to the safety feature, the notion that it could never fire at all is misleading. The possibility of jamming and becoming unusable does not directly correlate with the conditions stated in the scenario, and while the safety significantly reduces risks, it does not eliminate them entirely.