HSC

HandgunSafety
Certicate
S T U D Y G U I D E
California Department of Justice
Office of the Attorney General

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF FIREARMS
http://oag.ca.gov/firearms
JANUARY 2012
P R E F A C E
Handgun safety is the law in California. Every handgun
owner should understand and follow handgun safety
practices, have a basic familiarity with the operation and
handling of a handgun, and be fully aware of the respon-
sibility of handgun ownership. Pursuant to Penal Code
section 26840, subdivision (b), any person who acquires
a handgun must have a Handgun Safety Certificate
(HSC), unless they are exempt from the HSC
requirement. In order to obtain an HSC, a person must
pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) written test on
handgun safety. The test is administered by DOJ
Certified Instructors, who are often located at firearms
dealerships.
This study guide provides you with the basic handgun
safety information necessary to pass the test. Following the
handgun safety information in this guide will also help
reduce the potential for accidental deaths and injuries,
particularly those involving children, caused by the
unsafe handling and storing of handguns.
Included in this study guide is a general summary of the
laws that govern the sale and use of firearms. A glossary is
also provided at the end of this study guide that contains
definitions of the more technical terms used.
Simply reading this study guide will not make you a safe
handgun owner. To be a safe handgun owner you must
practice the handgun safety procedures described in the
following pages.
Introduction
WhyHandgunSafety? ................................. 5
HandgunSafetyistheLaw............................. 5
HandgunSafetyCertificateInformation.................... 5
SafeHandlingDemonstration........................... 6
CausesofHandgunAccidents........................... 6
PreventingMisuseTragedies............................ 7
BecomingaSafeandResponsibleHandgunOwner............ 7
Chapter1:GunSafetyRules
TheSixBasicGunSafetyRules.......................... 9
AdditionalSafetyPoints...............................11
Chapter1:SelfTest .................................. 12
Chapter2:HandgunsandChildren
HandgunOwnerResponsibility......................... 13
SummaryofSafeStorageLawsRegardingChildren........ 13
YouCannotBeTooCarefulwithChildrenandGuns....... 13
TalkingtoChildrenaboutGuns...................... 14
InstillaMindSetofSafetyandResponsibility............ 14
RulesforKids ...................................... 14
Chapter2:SelfTest .................................. 16
Chapter3:HandgunOperation
TypesofHandguns.................................. 17
RevolverPartsandOperation........................... 17
PartsofaRevolver............................... 17
HowaRevolverWorks............................ 17
ToLoadaDouble-ActionRevolver.................... 18
ToCheckorUnloadaDouble-ActionRevolver........... 19
SemiautomaticPistolPartsandOperation.................. 20
PartsofaSemiautomaticPistol...................... 20
HowaSemiautomaticPistolWorks................... 20
ToLoadaSemiautomaticPistol...................... 21
ToCheckorUnloadaSemiautomaticPistol............. 22
TableofContents

Ammunition....................................... 23
AmmunitionComponents.......................... 23
ComponentsofaCartridge......................... 23
PhysicsofGunfire................................... 23
FirearmandAmmunitionCalibers ....................... 24
DangerousRange................................... 25
Malfunctions...................................... 25
Chapter3:SelfTest .................................. 26
Chapter4:HandgunOwnership
UnderstandtheSafetyAspectsofYourHandgun............. 27
CarefullyReadAllInstructionalMaterial.................. 27
EnrollinaHandgunTrainingCourse..................... 27
CleaningandRepair................................. 27
SafetyandStorageDevices............................ 29
MethodsofChildproofing............................. 30
Chapter4:SelfTest .................................. 31
ProhibitedFirearmsTransfersandStrawPurchases.......... 32
Chapter5:FirearmsLaws
IntroductiontotheLaws .............................. 33
SalesandTransfersofFirearms......................... 33
NewCaliforniaResidentRequirement.................... 36
CarryingaConcealedWeapon .......................... 36
FirearmsAboardCommonCarriers...................... 37
FirearmsintheHome,BusinessorattheCampsite........... 37
TheUseofLethalForceinSelf-Defense................... 37
LoadedFirearmsinPublic ............................. 38
MiscellaneousProhibitedActs .......................... 39
PersonsIneligibletoPossessFirearms .................... 41
Chapter5:SelfTest .................................. 43
Appendix
SafeHandlingDemonstrationSteps...................... 45
SemiautomaticPistol................................. 45
Double-ActionRevolver ............................... 48
Single-ActionRevolver................................ 50
SafeHandlingDemonstrationGlossary.................... 52

Introduction
WHYHANDGUNSAFETY?
HandgunsafetyisimportanttoallCalifornians.Noonewantshandgunaccidents
tohappenyettheydoeveryday.Handgunaccidentsinvolvingchildrenare
especiallydisturbing.Studiesshowthateasyaccesstoloadedhandgunsinhomes
isamajorcauseofaccidentalshootingsofchildren.
Whiletheremaybenowaytoguaranteesafety,handgunownerscantakesteps
tohelppreventmanyaccidentalshootings.Thisstudyguidewillgiveyou
valuableinformationtohelpyoubecomeasafeandresponsiblehandgunowner.
HANDGUNSAFETYISTHELAW
TheintentoftheCaliforniaLegislatureinenactingtheHandgunSafetyCertificate
(HSC)lawistoensurethatpersonswhoobtainhandgunshaveabasicfamiliarity
withthosefirearms,includingbutnotlimitedto,thesafehandlingandstorage
ofthosefirearms.ItisnottheintentoftheLegislaturetorequireanHSCforthe
merepossessionofafirearm.(Pen.Code,31610.)
HANDGUNSAFETYCERTIFICATEINFORMATION
ToobtainanHSC,youmusttaketheDOJwrittentestandreceiveapassingscore
ofatleast75%(theinformationnecessaryforpassingthetestiscontainedinthis
studyguide).
AnHSCisvalidforfiveyearsfromthedateofissuance.IfyourHSCislost,stolen
ordestroyed,areplacementmaybeobtainedfromtheDOJCertifiedInstructor
whoissuedyouroriginalHSC.
PursuanttoPenalCodesection31700,thereareexemptionsfromtheHSC
requirementbasedonspecificcategoriesofpersons.Someoftheexempt
categoriesare:
FederalFirearmsLicenseCollectorswithaCertificateofEligibility
(forCurioandRelictransactionsonly);
Active,activereserve,orhonorablyretiredmilitary;
CarryConcealedWeapon(CCW)permitholders;and
PersonswhohavecompletedPeaceOfficersStandardsandTraining(POST)
(Pen.Code,832)firearmstraining.
5

ForacompletelistofexemptionsvisittheDOJwebsiteathttp://oag.ca.gov/firearms
orcontacttheDOJBureauofFirearms,GeneralInformationLineat(916)227-7527.
Youarerequiredtoprovidedocumentationofyourexemptiontothefirearms
dealereachtimeyouacquireahandgun.
SAFEHANDLINGDEMONSTRATION
Priortotakingdeliveryofahandgun,youmustsuccessfullyperformasafe
handlingdemonstrationwiththehandgunbeingpurchasedoracquired.Thesafe
handlingdemonstrationmustbeperformedinthepresenceofaDOJCertified
InstructoronorafterthedatetheDealerRecordofSale(DROS)issubmittedto
theDOJandbeforethehandgunisdelivered.
Theappendixattheendofthisguidelistseachofthestatutorilymandatedsteps
thatconstitutethesafehandlingdemonstrationforthethreemostcommon
handguntypes(semiautomaticpistols,double-actionrevolversandsingle-action
revolvers).Theappendixisprovidedtohelpyouprepareforthesafehandling
demonstrationonly.Theinformationneededtoanswerallquestionsthatappear
ontheDOJhandgunsafetywrittentestcanbefoundwithinthisstudyguide.
CAUSESOFHANDGUNACCIDENTS
Ignoranceandcarelessnessaremajorcausesofhandgunaccidents.Tohelp
reducethenumberofhandgunaccidents,itiscriticalthatgunsafetyrulesare
understoodandpracticedatalltimesbyeveryfamilymember.
Followingaresomeexamplesofhandgunaccidentsthatcouldhavebeenavoided
ifthebasicgunsafetyruleshadbeenpracticed:
Two young children playing in their home found a loaded handgun with
the magazine removed on a bedside table. One child was injured when
the handgun was fired.
A handgun owner assumed a handgun was unloaded. While cleaning it,
he accidentally fired the handgun, causing injury to himself.
While practicing target shooting, a shooter was distracted by a noise
behind her. She turned with her finger on the trigger and accidently fired,
injuring a person standing nearby.
Knowingthesafetyrulesandapplyingthemmostofthetimeisnotenough.
Handgunaccidentscanhappenevenifapersonknowsthesafetyrules,butis
carelessinpracticingthem.Forexample,youmaythinkyoucanleaveyour
loadedhandgunoutonthekitchentablejustforamomentwhileyougooutside
toturnoffthegardenhose.Althoughyouknowyoushouldneverleaveafirearm
whereachildmayfindit,youcarelesslythinkitwillbealrightjustthisonce.
REMEMBER:Ignoranceandcarelessnessaremajorcausesofhandgunaccidents.
BasicgunsafetyrulesmustbeappliedALLOFTHETIME.
6

PREVENTINGMISUSETRAGEDIES
Itisafactmanydepressed,intoxicated,substanceabusive,orenraged
individualscommitsuicideeveryyearwithfirearms,principallyhandguns.The
developmentalissuesassociatedwithadolescencemaketeenagersparticularly
susceptibletothisunfortunateoutcome.Safeandresponsiblehandgunstorage
practice,particularlywhenamemberofthehouseholdisexperiencingone
oftheaforementionedconditions,canhelppreventtragedies.
BECOMINGASAFEANDRESPONSIBLEHANDGUNOWNER
Becomingasafehandgunownerissimilartobecomingasafedriveryou
combineagoodworkingknowledgeoftheequipment,thebasicskillsof
operation,andamindsetdedicatedtosafeandresponsibleusageandstorage.
Thismeansyoumusthave:
Respectforthedangerofhandguns.
Anawarenessandconcernaboutthepossiblesafetyhazardsrelated
tohandguns.
Adesiretolearnandpracticesafeconductwithhandguns.
Developingamindsetforsafeandresponsiblehandgunusageandstorageisthe
firststepinactuallybecomingaresponsiblehandgunowner.Thenextstepis
buildingyourknowledgeofhandgunsandgunsafety,whichyoucandoby
readingandunderstandingtheinformationinthisstudyguide.Thefinalstepsare
becomingskillfulinhandlinghandgunsandusingthesafetyknowledgethat
youhaveacquired.
7

CHAPTER1
GunSafetyRules
Thischapterwillintroduceyoutospecificgunsafetyrulestogiveyouabetter
understandingofhandgunsafety.
THESIXBASICGUNSAFETYRULES
Therearesixbasicgunsafetyrulesforgunownerstounderstandandpractice
atalltimes:
1. Treatallgunsasiftheyareloaded.
2. Keepthegunpointedinthesafestpossibledirection.
3. Keepyourfingeroffthetriggeruntilyouarereadytoshoot.
4. Knowyourtarget,itssurroundingsandbeyond.
5. Knowhowtoproperlyoperateyourgun.
6. Storeyourgunsafelyandsecurelytopreventunauthorizeduse.
Gunsandammunitionshouldbestoredseparately.
1. Treatallgunsasiftheyareloaded.
Alwaysassumethatagunisloadedevenifyouthinkitisunloaded.
Everytimeagunishandledforanyreason,checktoseethatitis
unloaded.Forspecificinstructionsonhowtounloadahandgun,see
Chapter3.
Ifyouareunabletocheckaguntoseeifitisunloaded,leaveitalone
andseekhelpfromsomeonemoreknowledgeableaboutguns.
2. Keepthegunpointedinthesafestpossibledirection.
Alwaysbeawareofwherethegunispointing.Asafedirectionisone
whereanaccidentaldischargeofthegunwillnotcauseinjuryordamage.
Onlypointagunatanobjectthatyouintendtoshoot.
Neverpointaguntowardyourselforanotherperson.
3. Keepyourfingeroffthetriggeruntilyouarereadytoshoot.
Alwayskeepyourfingeroffthetriggerandoutsidethetriggerguarduntilyou
arereadytoshoot.
9

Eventhoughitmaybecomfortabletorestyourfingeronthetrigger,
italsoisunsafe.
Ifyouaremovingaroundwithyourfingeronthetriggerandstumble
orfall,youcouldinadvertentlypullthetrigger.
Suddenloudnoisesormovementscanresultinanaccidentaldischarge
becausethereisanaturaltendencytotightenthemuscleswhenstartled.
Thetriggerisforfiring,thehandleisforhandling.
4. Knowyourtarget,itssurroundingsandbeyond.
Checkthattheareasinfrontofandbehindyourtargetaresafebefore
shooting.
Beawarethatifthebulletmissesorcompletelypassesthroughthetarget,it
couldstrikeapersonorobject.
Identifythetargetandmakesureitiswhatyouintendtoshoot.Ifyou
areindoubt,DONTSHOOT!
Neverfireatatargetthatisonlyamovement,color,soundorunidentifiable
shape.
Beawareofallthepeoplearoundyoubeforeyoushoot.
5. Knowhowtoproperlyoperateyourgun.
Itisimportanttobecomethoroughlyfamiliarwithyourgun.Youshould
knowitsmechanicalcharacteristicsincludinghowtoproperlyload,
unloadandclearamalfunctionfromyourgun.
Obviously,notallgunsaremechanicallythesame.Neverassumethat
whatappliestoonemakeormodelisexactlyapplicabletoanother.
Youshoulddirectquestionsregardingtheoperationofyourguntoyour
firearmsdealer,orcontactthemanufacturerdirectly.
6. Storeyourgunsafelyandsecurelytopreventunauthorized
use.Gunsandammunitionshouldbestoredseparately.
Evenwhenthegunisnotinyourhands,youmuststillthinkofsafety.
UseaCalifornia-approvedfirearmssafetydeviceonthegun,suchas
atriggerlockorcablelock,soitcannotbefired.
Storeyourgununloadedinalockedcontainer,suchasaCalifornia-approved
lockboxoragunsafe.
Storeyourguninadifferentlocationthantheammunition.
Formaximumsafetyyoushouldusebothalockingdeviceandastorage
container.
10

ADDITIONALSAFETYPOINTS
Thesixbasicsafetyrulesarethefoundationalrulesforgunsafety.However,
thereareadditionalsafetypointswhichmustnotbeoverlooked:
Neverhandleagunwhenyouareinanemotionalstatesuchasanger
ordepression.Yourjudgmentmaybeimpaired.
Nevershootagunincelebration(theFourthofJulyorNewYearsEve,
forexample).Notonlyisthisunsafe,butitisgenerallyillegal.Abullet
firedintotheaircanreturntothegroundwithenoughspeedtocause
injuryordeath.
Donotshootatwater,flatorhardsurfaces.Thebulletcanricochetand
hitsomeoneorsomethingotherthanthetarget.
Handyourguntosomeoneonlyafteryouverifythatitisunloadedand
thecylinderoractionisopen.Takeagunfromsomeoneonlyafteryou
verifythatitisunloadedandthecylinderoractionisopen.
Guns,alcoholanddrugsdontmix.Alcoholanddrugscannegatively
affectjudgmentaswellasphysicalcoordination.Alcoholandanyother
substancesarelikelytoimpairnormalmentalorphysicalfunctionsand
shouldnotbeusedbeforeorwhilehandlingguns.Avoidhandlingand
usingyourgunwhenyouaretakingmedicationsthatcausedrowsinessor
includeawarningtonotoperatemachinerywhiletakingthisdrug.
Theloudnoisefromafiredguncancausehearingdamage,andthe
debrisandhotgasthatisoftenemittedcanresultineyeinjury.Always
wearearandeyeprotectionwhenshootingagun.
11

CHAPTER1: SelfTest
1. Asafepracticewhenhandlinga
gunistorestyourfingeronthe
outsideofthetriggerguardor
alongthesideofthegununtilyou
arereadytoshoot.(page9)
True False
2. Toknowyourtarget,its
surroundingsandbeyond,you
mustconsiderthatifthebullet
missesorcompletelypasses
throughthetarget,itcouldstrikea
personorobject.(page10)
True False
3. Drinkingalcoholwhilehandling
firearmsissafeifyourblood
alcohollevelremainsbelowthe
legallimit.(page11)
True False
4. Whichofthefollowingsafety
pointsshouldyouremember
whenhandlingagun?(page11)
A. Nevershootagunin
celebration.
B. Donotfireatwater,flat
orhardsurfaces.
C. Wearearandeyeprotection
whenshootingagun.
D. Alloftheabove.
5. SafetyRuleNumberTwoiskeep
thegunpointed:(page9)
A. Tothenorth.
B. Inthesafestpossible
direction.
C. Up.
D. Down.
6. SafetyRuleNumberFiveisknow
howtoproperly:(page10)
A. Clearamalfunction.
B. Operateyourgun.
C. Loadyourgun.
D. Cleanyourgun.
A n s w e r s : 1 : T r u e , 2 : T r u e , 3 : F a l s e , 4 : D , 5 : B , 6 : B
12

CHAPTER2
HandgunsandChildren
HANDGUNOWNERRESPONSIBILITY
Itisahandgunownersresponsibilitytotakeallpossiblestepstomakesure
achildcannotgainaccesstohandguns.Infact,thisresponsibilityismandated
byCalifornialaw.Theoverallabidingruleistostoreyourguninasafeand
responsiblemanneratalltimes.Asahandgunowner,youshouldbeaware
ofthelawsregardingchildrenandfirearms.
SummaryofSafeStorageLawsRegardingChildren
Youmaybeguiltyofamisdemeanororafelonyifyoukeepaloadedfirearm
withinanypremisesthatareunderyourcustodyorcontrolandachildunder
18yearsofageobtainsandusesit,resultingininjuryordeath,orcarriesitto
apublicplace,unlessyoustoredthefirearminalockedcontainerorlockedthe
firearmwithalockingdevicetotemporarilykeepitfromfunctioning.Pleaserefer
toPage40formorespecificinformationregardingsafestoragelawsrelatedto
children.
YouCannotBeTooCarefulwithChildrenandGuns
Thereisnosuchthingasbeingtoocarefulwithchildrenandguns.Neverassume
thatsimplybecauseatoddlermaylackfingerstrength,theycantpullthetrigger.
Achildsthumbhastwicethestrengthoftheotherfingers.Whenatoddlers
thumbpushesagainstatrigger,invariablythebarrelofthegunispointing
directlyatthechildsface.NEVERleaveafirearmlyingaroundthehouse.Please
refertoPages29and30formoreinformationregardingsafestorageandmethods
ofchildproofingyourhandgun.
Childsafetyprecautionsstillapplyevenifyouhavenochildrenorifyour
childrenhavegrowntoadulthoodandlefthome.Anephew,niece,neighbors
childoragrandchildmaycometovisit.Practicegunsafetyatalltimes.
Topreventinjuryordeathcausedbyimproperstorageofgunsinahomewhere
childrenarelikelytobepresent,youshouldstoreallgunsunloaded,lockthem
withafirearmssafetydeviceandstoretheminalockedcontainer.Ammunition
shouldbestoredinalocationseparatefromthegun.
13

TalkingtoChildrenaboutGuns
Childrenarenaturallycuriousaboutthingstheydontknowaboutorthinkare
forbidden.Whenachildasksquestionsorbeginstoactoutgunplay,you
maywanttoaddresshisorhercuriositybyansweringthequestionsashonestly
andopenlyaspossible.Thiswillremovethemysteryandreducethenatural
curiosity.Also,itisimportanttoremembertotalktochildreninamannerthey
canrelatetoandunderstand.Thisisveryimportant,especiallywhenteaching
childrenaboutthedifferencebetweenrealandmake-believe.Letchildren
knowthat,eventhoughtheymaylookthesame,realgunsareverydifferent
thantoyguns.Arealgunwillhurtorkillsomeonewhoisshot.
InstillaMindSetofSafetyandResponsibility
TheAmericanAcademyofPediatricsreportsthatadolescenceisahighly
vulnerablestageinlifeforteenagersstrugglingtodeveloptraitsofidentity,
independenceandautonomy.Children,ofcourse,arebothnaturallycurious
andinnocentlyunawareofmanydangersaroundthem.Thus,adolescentsas
wellaschildrenmaynotbesufficientlysafeguardedbycautionarywords,
howeverfrequent.Contraryactionscancompletelyunderminegoodadvice.
AdoasIsayandnotasIdoapproachtogunsafetyisbothirresponsible
anddangerous.
Rememberthatactionsspeaklouderthanwords.Childrenlearnmostby
observingtheadultsaroundthem.Bypracticingsafeconductyouwillalso
beteachingsafeconduct.
RULESFORKIDS
Adultsshouldbeawarethatachildcoulddiscoveragunwhenaparentor
anotheradultisnotpresent.Thiscouldhappeninthechildsownhome;the
homeofaneighbor,friendorrelative;orinapublicplacesuchasaschoolor
park.Ifthisshouldhappen,achildshouldknowthefollowingrulesandbe
taughttopracticethem.
1. Stop
Thefirstruleforachildtofollowifhe/shefindsorseesagunistostop
whathe/sheisdoing.
2. DontTouch!
Thesecondruleisforachildnottotouchagunhe/shefindsorsees.Achild
maythinkthebestthingtodoifhe/shefindsagunistopickitupandtakeitto
anadult.Achildneedstoknowhe/sheshouldNEVERtouchagunhe/shemay
findorsee.
3. LeavetheArea
Thethirdruleistoimmediatelyleavethearea.Thiswouldincludenevertaking
agunawayfromanotherchildortryingtostopsomeonefromusinggun.
14
4. TellanAdult
Thelastruleisforachildtotellanadultaboutthegunhe/shehasseen.This
includestimeswhenotherkidsareplayingwithorshootingagun.
Pleasenotethat,whilethereisnobetteradviceatthistimeforchildrenor
adolescentswhoencounteragunbyhappenstance,theCaliforniaChapterofthe
AmericanCollegeofEmergencyPhysiciansreportsthatsuchwarningsalonemay
beinsufficientaccidentpreventionmeasureswithchildrenandadolescents.
15

CHAPTER2: SelfTest
1. Whennotusingagun,usea
firearmssafetydeviceandstore
theguninalockedcontainer.
(page13)
True False
2. Youmayfacemisdemeanoror
felonychargesifyoukeepa
loadedfirearmwhereachild
obtainsandimproperlyusesit.
(page13)
True False
3. Thereisnosuchthingasbeingtoo
carefulwithchildrenandguns.
(page13)
True False
4. Animportantlessonchildren
shouldlearnisthatgunsarenot
toys.(page14)
True False
5. ThefoursafetyRulesforKidsif
theyseeagunare:(page14)
A. ________________________
B. ________________________
C. ________________________
D. ________________________
6. Childsafetyprecautionsonlyapply
ifyouhavechildren.
(page13)
True False
A n s w e r s : 1 : T r u e , 2 : T r u e , 3 : T r u e , 4 : T r u e , 5 : A . S t o p , B . D o n t T o u c h , C . L e a v e
t h e A r e a , D . T e l l a n A d u l t , 6 : F a l s e
16
CHAPTER3
HandgunOperation
TYPESOFHANDGUNS
Animportantpartofbeingasafehandgunownerisknowinghowyourhandgun
works.Thisbeginswithlearningthedifferencebetweenthetwomostcommon
typesofhandgunsrevolversandsemiautomaticpistols.
REVOLVERPARTSANDOPERATION
PartsofaRevolver
Thebasicpartsofarevolverare:
barrel cylinder
hammer
cylinder
latch
grip
triggerguard
trigger
ejectorrod
HowaRevolverWorks
Arevolverhasarotatingcylindercontaininganumberofchambers.Thereare
usuallyfiveorsixchambers.Theactionofthetriggerorhammerwilllineupa
chamberwiththebarrelandfiringpin.Releasingthecylinderlatchallowsthe
cylindertoswingoutforloading,unloadingandinspection.
17

Revolversareeithersingleordoubleaction.Theprimarydifferencebetweenthese
twotypesofrevolversisthefunctionofthetrigger.Onasingle-actionrevolver
thetriggerhasasinglefunctiontoreleasethehammer.Thetriggeronadouble-
actionrevolverhastwofunctionstocockthehammerandtoreleaseit.
Thissectionfocusesonthedouble-actionrevolverbecausemostoftherevolvers
soldaredouble-action.However,youcangetdetailedinformationonsingle-
actionrevolversfromfirearmsdealersormanufacturers.
ToLoadaDouble-ActionRevolver
Alwaysrefertotheownersmanualforinformationspecifictoyourhandgun.
Remembertokeepthegunpointedinthesafestpossibledirectionandkeepyour
fingeroffthetrigger.
Thestepstoloadadouble-actionrevolverare:
1. Releasethecylinderlatch.
2. Swingthecylinderout.
3. Insertacartridgeofammunitionintoeachchamber.
4. Closethecylinder.
Step1 Step2
Step3 Step4
Thedouble-actionrevolverisnowloaded.
18
ToCheckorUnloadaDouble-ActionRevolver
Alwaysrefertotheownersmanualforinformationspecifictoyourhandgun.
Remembertokeepthegunpointedinthesafestpossibledirectionandkeepyour
fingeroffthetrigger.
Thestepstounloadadouble-actionrevolverare:
1. Releasethecylinderlatch.
2. Swingthecylinderout.
3. Inspecteachchamberin
thecylinder.Ifcartridges
areinanychamberofthe
cylinder,usetheejector
rodtoremovethem.
Step1
Step2
Step3
Thedouble-actionrevolverisnowunloaded.
NOTE:Simplyspinningarevolvertoanemptychamberdoesnotunloaditormakeit
safe.Thecylinderrotatestothenextchamberbeforethehammerfalls.
19

SEMIAUTOMATICPISTOLPARTSANDOPERATION
PartsofaSemiautomaticPistol
Thebasicpartsofasemiautomaticpistolare:
slide slidelock safety hammer
cartridge
magazine grip
magazine
release
trigger
guard
trigger
HowaSemiautomaticPistolWorks
Asemiautomaticpistolhasasinglechamber.Eachtimethetriggerispulled,
acartridgeisfired,theemptycaseisautomaticallyextractedandejected,the
hammeriscocked,andanewcartridgeisloadedintothechamber.
Theprimarydifferencebetweenrevolversandsemiautomaticpistolsishowthe
ammunitionisheld.Revolversuseacylindertoholdammunition.Semiautomatic
pistolsuseamagazinetoholdammunition.Amagazineisaseparatemetal
boxlikecontainerintowhichcartridgesareloaded.Itisusuallylocatedwithinthe
grip.Abuttonorcatchreleasesthemagazine.
Anotherdifferenceismostsemiautomaticpistolshaveasafetythatisdesigned
topreventfiringwhenengaged.However,itisnotfoolproofsodonotrelyonthe
safetytopreventanaccidentaldischarge.Asafetyshouldonlybeusedasan
additionalsafetymeasure.
Neverpullthetriggeronanyfirearmwiththesafetyinthesafeposition
becausethereafterthefirearmcouldfireatanytimewithoutthetriggerever
beingtouched.Ifafirearmisdropped,itmaylandhardenoughtoactivatethe
firingmechanismwithoutthetriggerbeingtouched.
20
ToLoadaSemiautomaticPistol
Proceduresdifferforvarioussemiautomaticpistols.Alwaysrefertotheowners
manualforinformationspecifictoyourfirearm.Remembertokeepthegun
pointedinthesafestpossibledirectionandkeepyourfingeroffthetrigger.
Generally,thestepstoloadasemiautomaticpistolare:
1. Pushthemagazinerelease. 4. Insertthemagazinefirmlyinto
thepistol.
2. Removethemagazine.
5. Pulltheslidetotherear
3. Inserttheappropriatecartridges
andreleaseit.
intothemagazineasdescribed
intheownersmanual. 6. MoveanysafetytoON.
Step1 Step2
Step3
Step4
Step5 Step6
Thesemiautomaticpistolisnowloaded.
Note:Ifyoureleasetheslidebeforeinsertingthemagazine,therewillNOTbe
acartridgeinthechamber.
21
Step1 Step2
Step3 Step4

ToCheckorUnloadaSemiautomaticPistol
Proceduresdifferforvarioussemiautomaticpistols.Alwaysrefertotheowners
manualforinformationspecifictoyourfirearm.Remembertokeepthegun
pointedinthesafestpossibledirectionandkeepyourfingeroffthetrigger.
Generally,thestepstounloadasemiautomaticpistolare:
1. Pushthemagazinerelease.
2. Removethemagazine.
3. Pulltheslidetotherearandlockitback,ifpossible.Pullingtheslide
backshouldejectanycartridgeinthechamber.Theactionisnowopen.
4. Visuallycheckthechambertoensureitisempty.
Thesemiautomaticpistolisnowunloaded.
C
A
U
T
I
O
N

YoushouldNOTassumeasemiautomaticpistolisunloadedjustbecause
themagazineisremovedfromthehandgun.
DonotallowtheslidetogoforwardUNLESSyouhave:
1. Checkedagaintobesurethechamberisempty,and
2. CheckedagaintobesurethemagazinehasbeenREMOVED.
Ifyoupulltheslidebackejectingthecartridge,checkthechamber,let
theslidegoforward,andTHENremovethemagazine,youhavealoaded,
dangerousfirearm(acartridgeisinthechamber)eventhoughyouhave
removedthemagazine.Itiscommonandsometimesfataltomakethiserror.
ALWAYSREMOVETHEMAGAZINEFIRST!
22
case bullet
primer propellant
(insideofcase)
AMMUNITION
Anoftenoverlookedaspectofsafefirearmoperationisknowingaboutthe
ammunitionyouuse.Itisimportantforyoutoknowwhichammunitioncan
beusedsafelyinyourfirearm.
AmmunitionComponents
Afirearmcartridge,commonlyreferredtoasaround,isasingleunitof
ammunitionmadeupoffourparts:thecase,theprimer,thepropellantand
thebullet.
ComponentsofaCartridge
Thecaseisthemetalcylinderthatisclosedatoneendandcontainstheotherthree
components.
Theprimeristheimpact-sensitivechemicalcompoundusedforignition.
Thepropellantisafast-burningchemicalcompound.
Thebulletistheprojectilefiredfromafirearm.Itisusuallymadeoflead,
sometimescoveredwithalayerofcopperorothermetalandislocatedatthetip
ofthecartridge.Peopleoftenmistakenlyrefertotheentirecartridgeasabullet.
Actuallythebulletisjustonepartofacartridge.
PHYSICSOFGUNFIRE
Tounderstandthepowerofafirearm,itishelpfultoknowsomeofthephysics
ofgunfire.Thefallofthehammercausestheprimertoignitethepowder,which
burnstoproducegases.Theserapidly-expandinggasespushthebulletthrough
thebarrelandtowardthetarget.Thepushofgasesagainstthefirearmresultsin
whatiscalledrecoil.Someshootersarestartledbyrecoil.Firearmsvaryinhow
muchrecoiltheygenerate.Anticipationofrecoilmaycauseaninexperienced
shootertograspthefirearmtootightlyorflinch.Shootingafirearmproperly
minimizesthenegativeeffectsofrecoilontheshooter.
23

FIREARMANDAMMUNITIONCALIBERS
Firearmsandammunitionaremadeinvariouscalibers.Firearmcaliberrefersto
barreldiameter.Revolversgenerallyhavethecaliberinformationonthebarrel.
Semiautomaticpistolsgenerallyhavethecaliberinformationontheslide.
Ammunitioncaliberreferstobulletdiameter.Ammunitionhasthecaliber
informationonthebox.Someofthemorecommoncalibersarethe.22,.45,
and9mm.Youmustonlyusethecaliberofammunitionrecommendedbythe
manufacturerofyourfirearm.
.357Magnum
9mmLuger
Justbecauseacartridgefitsyourfirearmdoesnotnecessarilymeanthecartridge
issafetoshoot.Afirearmmaynotbeabletohandlethepressurecreatedby
usingincorrectammunition.Thiscouldresultindamagetothefirearmand
possibleinjurytoyourselforbystanders.
Nevershootammunitionthatisold,dirty,corrodedorwet,orammunitionthat
cannotbefullyidentified.Thiscouldcauseamalfunctionsuchasajamoramisfire,or
explosionofthefirearm.Neverthrowammunitioninthetrash.Callyourlocalrefuse
departmentandaskforproperdisposalinstructions.
Someammunitionisillegal.Yourfirearmsdealercanhelpyouidentifythecorrect
andlegalammunitionforyourfirearm.Purchaseyourammunitionfroman
authorizedammunitiondealeronly.
24

DANGEROUSRANGE
Inordertoshootafirearmsafely,youneedtoknownotonlyyourtargetbutalso
thedangerousrangeofyourammunition.Thedangerousrangeisthedistance
thatabulletcantravel.Mostammunitioncantravelatleastamile,withsome
havingthecapabilityoftravelingMOREthantwomiles.Therefore,eventhough
youmayfireatatargetonlyafewfeetoryardsaway,yourbulletcouldtravelfar
beyondyourtarget.Asittravels,thepotentialfordamagewidens.Theimportance
ofthedangerousrangeisthatyoumustconsiderhowmuchfartherthebulletcan
travelbeyondthetarget.Thisisbecauseabulletthatmissesorpassesthrougha
targetcouldstrikeapersonorobject.Ifyouthinkonlyofyourtargetandnotthe
dangerousrange,youmightmistakenlythinksomeoneorsomethingistoofar
awaytobeindanger.
Anotherimportantpointtorememberinconsideringthedangerousrangeisthat
mostammunitioncaneasilypenetratetheinteriorwallsofahouseandstilltravel
somedistancebeforelosingitsenergy.Highvelocityormagnumammunitionhas
evengreaterpenetrationanddistancecapabilities.
Remember:Onceyoufire,youareresponsibleforanydamageorinjuriesyour
bulletcauses.
MALFUNCTIONS
Anymachinecanmalfunction.Afirearmisnodifferent.Ifyourfirearm
malfunctions,alwayskeepthebasicsafetyrulesinmindanddothefollowing:
C
A
U
T
I
O
N

STOPFIRING!
KEEPTHEGUNPOINTEDINASAFEDIRECTION.
WAITTENSECONDS.
SEEKCOMPETENTHELP.
Ifyouareatarange,theusualproceduretofollowwhenamalfunctionoccurs
istokeepyourfirearmpointeddownrange,keepyourfingeroffthetriggerand
raiseyournon-shootinghanduntilarangeofficialarrives.Youhaveapotentially
dangeroussituation!
25

CHAPTER3: SelfTest
1. Theimportanceofthedangerous
rangeisthatabulletcantravel
farbeyondtheintendedtarget.
(page25)
True False
2. Thesafetyonasemiautomatic
pistolisnotfoolproof.(page20)
True False
3. Justbecauseacartridgefitsinto
yourfirearmdoesnotnecessarily
meanitissafetoshoot.(page24)
True False
4. Thetwomostcommontypes
ofhandgunsare:(page17)
A. Single-actionanddouble-
actionrevolvers.
B. Semiautomatic revolvers
andpistols.
C. Semiautomaticandautomatic
pistols.
D. Revolversandsemiautomatic
pistols.
5. Afterensuringadouble-action
revolverispointedinasafe
directionandwithyourfingeroff
thetrigger,youbeginunloading
thehandgunby:(page19)
A. Releasingthecylinderlatch.
B. Removingthecylinder.
C. Swingingoutthecylinder.
D. Pushingthemagazinerelease.
6. Firearmorammunitioncaliber
refersto:(page24)
A. Barrellength.
B. Magazinecapacity.
C. Barrelorbulletdiameter.
D. Bulletvelocity.
7. Amagazineispartofa:(page20)
A. Single-actionrevolver.
B. Double-actionrevolver.
C. Semiautomaticpistol.
D. Single-actionandadouble-
actionrevolver.
A n s w e r s : 1 : T r u e , 2 : T r u e , 3 : T r u e , 4 : D , 5 : A , 6 : C , 7 : C
26

CHAPTER4
HandgunOwnership
UNDERSTANDTHESAFETYASPECTSOFYOURHANDGUN
Getadvicefromaprofessionalsalespersononthesafetyaspectsofthehandgun
youareconsideringbuying.Selectthehandgunthatbestsuitsyourpersonal
needs.Askalotofquestions!Askaboutthecorrectammunitionforthehandgun
youhaveselected.
Becomethoroughlyfamiliarwiththemechanicsofthehandgunyouhaveselected.
Byknowingexactlyhowyourhandgunworks,youaremorelikelytorecognize
anypossiblesafetyproblems.
CAREFULLYREADALLINSTRUCTIONALMATERIAL
Anownersmanualfromthemanufacturerofyourhandgunshouldbeprovided
whenyoubuyanewhandgun.Manualsforusedhandgunsusuallycanbe
obtainedbywritingorcallingthemanufacturer.
Carefullyreadthemanualanduseittofamiliarizeyourselfwiththehandgun
anditsoperation.
ENROLLINAHANDGUNTRAININGCOURSE
Tohelpyoulearntodriveacaryouprobablyhadsomebehindthewheel
trainingandpracticebeforeyougotyourdriverslicense.Thisalsoappliesto
handgunownership.Thebestwaytobecomeskilledinusingandunderstanding
howyourhandgunoperatesistoenrollinahands-ontrainingcourse.There
aremanyhandguntrainingcoursesthatcanprovideadditionalsafetyinformation.
Forinformationontrainingcoursesinyourarea,contactalocalfirearmsdealer
orfirearmssafetyorganization.
CLEANINGANDREPAIR
Maintenanceispartofbeingaresponsiblefirearmsowner.Firearmsshouldbe
cleanedregularlyandespeciallyafterprolongedstorage.Thebarrelshouldbe
cleanedaftereveryuse.Accumulatedmoisture,dirtorgreasecaninterferewith
theefficientandsafeoperationofafirearm.
27

Firearmcleaningkitsandmaterialscanbepurchasedfrommostfirearmsdealers.
Beawarethatsomefirearmcleaningsubstancesaretoxic.Carefullyreadand
followtheinstructionsonthecleaningproducts.
Youshouldcleanyourfirearminalocationwhereyouwillhavenodistractions.
Beforeyoubegin,alwayscheckyourfirearmtoensureitisunloadedandremove
anyammunitionfromthecleaningarea.Accidentscanhappenifcleaning
proceduresarenotfollowedcorrectlyandsafely.Therefore,youshouldfollow
thecleaninginstructionsinyourownersmanualandonyourcleaningproducts.
Firearmsdealersorgunsmithsalsoaregoodsourcesforcleaninginformation.
Careshouldbetakentoensureadequateventilationatalltimestoreducetherisk
ofinhalingleadparticles.Toavoidaccidentalingestionofleadparticles,never
handlefoodordrinkwithoutfirstwashingyourhands.Donotsmokewhen
exposedtolead.Washyourhandsthoroughlyafterexposure.
Periodicallyinspectallfirearmsyouowntobesurethattheyareingoodworking
condition.Ifyounoticeanyproblems,haveyourfirearmcheckedbyacompetent
gunsmith.Anyrepairsshouldbemadeonlybyagunsmithorthemanufacturer
ofthefirearm.Youshouldnotattempttomakeanymajormodificationstoyour
firearm.Somemodificationsareillegalanddangerous.Theyalsocouldvoidthe
manufacturerswarranty.
Bykeepingyourfirearmproperlymaintained,youwillensurethatitissafe
tooperateandwillfunctionreliablyformanyyears.
28

SAFETYANDSTORAGEDEVICES
Ifyoudecidetokeepafirearminyourhomeyoumustconsidertheissueof
howtostorethefirearminasafeandsecuremanner.Californiarecognizes
theimportanceofsafestoragebyrequiringthatallfirearmssoldinCalifornia
beaccompaniedbyaDOJ-approvedfirearmssafetydeviceorproofthatthe
purchaserownsagunsafethatmeetsregulatorystandardsestablishedbythe
DOJ.ThecurrentlistofDOJ-approvedfirearmssafetydevicesandthegunsafe
standardscanbeviewedatthefollowingDOJwebsite:
http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fsdcertlist.
Thereareavarietyofsafetyandstoragedevicescurrentlyavailabletothepublic
inawiderangeofprices.Somedevicesarelockingmechanismsdesignedtokeep
thefirearmfrombeingloadedorfired,butdontpreventthefirearmfrombeing
handledorstolen.Therearealsolockingstoragecontainersthatholdthefirearm
outofsight.Formaximumsafetyyoushouldusebothafirearmsafetydeviceand
alockingstoragecontainertostoreyourunloadedfirearm.
Twoofthemostcommonlockingmechanismsaretriggerlocksandcablelocks.
Triggerlocksaretypicallytwo-piecedevicesthatfitaroundthetriggerandtrigger
guardtopreventaccesstothetrigger.Onesidehasapostthatfitsintoahole
intheotherside.Theyarelockedbyakeyorcombinationlockingmechanism.
Cablelockstypicallyworkbyloopingastrongsteelcablethroughtheactionof
thefirearmtoblockthefirearmsoperationandpreventaccidentalfiring.However,
neithertriggerlocksnorcablelocksaredesignedtopreventaccesstothefirearm.
Smallerlockboxesandlargergunsafesaretwoofthemostcommontypesof
lockingstoragecontainers.Oneadvantageoflockboxesandgunsafesisthat
theyaredesignedtocompletelypreventunintendedhandlingandremovalofa
firearm.Lockboxesaregenerallyconstructedofsturdy,high-grademetalopened
byeitherakeyorcombinationlock.Gunsafesarequiteheavy,usuallyweighing
atleast50pounds.Whilegunsafesaretypicallythemostexpensivefirearm
storagedevices,theyaregenerallymorereliableandsecure.
Remember:Safetyandstoragedevicesareonlyassecureastheprecautionsyoutake
toprotectthekeyorcombinationtothelock.
29

METHODSOFCHILDPROOFING
Asaresponsiblehandgunowner,youmustrecognizetheneedandbeawareof
themethodsofchildproofingyourhandgun,whetherornotyouhavechildren.
Wheneverchildrencouldbearound,whetheryourown,orafriends,relatives
orneighbors,additionalsafetystepsshouldbetakenwhenstoringfirearmsand
ammunitioninyourhome.
Alwaysstoreyourfirearmunloaded.
UseafirearmssafetydeviceANDstorethefirearminalockedcontainer.
Storetheammunitionseparatelyinalockedcontainer.
Alwaysstoringyourfirearmsecurelyisthebestmethodofchildproofingyour
firearm;however,yourchoiceofastorageplacecanaddanotherelementof
safety.Carefullychoosethestorageplaceinyourhomeespeciallyifchildren
maybearound.
Donotstoreyourfirearmwhereitisvisible.
Donotstoreyourfirearminabedsidetable,underyourmattressor
pillow,oronaclosetshelf.
Donotstoreyourfirearmamongyourvaluables(suchasjewelryor
cameras)unlessitislockedinasecurecontainer.
Makesurethelocationyoustoreyourfirearmandammunitionisnot
easilyaccessibletochildren.
Considerstoringfirearmsnotpossessedforself-defenseinasafeand
securemannerawayfromthehome.
30

CHAPTER4: SelfTest
1. Itisimportanttocarefullyreadall
instructionalmaterialyoureceive
withyourhandgun.(page27)
True False
2. Certainmodifications,whenmade
toafirearm,mayvoiditswarranty.
(page28)
True False
3. Itissafetostorealoadedhandgun
inyourbedsidetable.(page30)
True False
4. Twocommonfirearmssafety
devicesaretriggerlocksandcable
locks.(page29)
True False
5. Whichofthefollowingsteps
shouldbetakentochildproof
yourhandgun?(page30)
A. Useafirearmssafetydevice
ANDstorethefirearmina
lockedcontainer.
B. Alwaysstoreyourfirearm
unloaded.
C. Storeammunitionseparately
inalockedcontainer.
D. Alloftheabove.
A n s w e r s : 1 : T r u e , 2 : T r u e , 3 : F a l s e , 4 : T r u e , 5 : D
31
ProhibitedFirearmsTransfers
andStrawPurchases
Whatisastrawpurchase?
Astrawpurchaseisbuyingagunforsomeonewhoisprohibitedbylawfrom
possessingone,orbuyingagunforsomeonewhodoesnotwanthisorhername
associatedwiththetransaction.
ItisaviolationofCalifornialawforapersonwhoisnotlicensedasaCalifornia
firearmsdealertotransferafirearmtoanotherunlicensedperson,without
conductingsuchatransferthroughalicensedfirearmsdealer.(Pen.Code,
27545.)Suchatransfermaybepunishedasafelony.(Pen.Code,27590.)
Furthermore,itisaviolationoffederallawtoeither(1)makeafalseorfictitious
statementonanapplicationtopurchaseafirearmaboutamaterialfact,suchas
theidentifyofthepersonwhoultimatelywillacquirethefirearm(commonly
knownas"lyingandbuying")(18U.S.C.922(a)(6)),or(2)knowinglytransfer
afirearmtoapersonwhoisprohibitedbyfederallawfrompossessingand
purchasingit.(18U.S.C.922(d).)Suchtransfersarepunishableunderfederal
lawbya$250,000fineand10yearsinfederalprison.(18U.S.C.924(a)(2).)
ThingstoRememberAboutProhibitedFirearmsTransfersandStrawPurchases
Anillegalfirearmpurchase(strawpurchase)isafederalcrime.
Anillegalfirearmpurchasecanbringafelonyconvictionsentenceof10yearsin
jailandafineofupto$250,000.
Buyingagunandgivingittosomeonewhoisprohibitedfromowningoneisa
stateandfederalcrime.
Neverbuyagunforsomeonewhoisprohibitedbylaworunabletodoso.
32

CHAPTER5
FirearmsLaws
INTRODUCTIONTOTHELAWS
Astheownerofafirearm,itisyourresponsibilitytounderstandandcomply
withallfederal,stateandlocallawsregardingfirearmsownership.Manyofthe
lawsdescribedbelowpertaintothepossession,useandstorageoffirearmsinthe
homeandmeritcarefulreview.Thissectioncontainsageneralsummaryofthe
statelawsthatgoverntheuseoffirearms,particularlyhandguns,bypersons
otherthanlawenforcementofficersormembersofthearmedforces.Itisnot
designedtoprovideindividualguidanceforspecificsituations,nordoesitaddress
federalorlocallaws.Personshavingspecificquestionsareencouragedtoseek
legaladvicefromanattorney,orconsulttheirlocallawenforcementagency,local
prosecutororlawlibrary.
SALESANDTRANSFERSOFFIREARMS
InCalifornia,onlylicensedCaliforniafirearmsdealerswhopossessavalid
CertificateofEligibility(COE)areauthorizedtoengageinretailsalesoffirearms.
Theseretailsalesrequirethepurchasertoprovidepersonalidentifierinformation
fortheDealerRecordofSale(DROS)documentthatthefirearmsdealermust
submittotheDOJ.Thereisamandatoryten-daywaitingperiodbeforethe
firearmsdealercandeliverthefirearmtothepurchaser.Duringthistenday
waitingperiod,theDOJconductsafirearmseligibilitybackgroundcheckto
ensurethepurchaserisnotprohibitedfromlawfullypossessingfirearms.
Althoughthereareexceptions,generallyallfirearmspurchasersmustbeatleast
18yearsofagetopurchasealonggun(rifleorshotgun)and21yearsofageto
purchaseahandgun(pistolorrevolver).Additionally,purchasersmustbe
Californiaresidentswithavaliddriverslicenseoridentificationcardissuedby
theCaliforniaDepartmentofMotorVehicles.
Generally,itisillegalforanypersonwhoisnotaCalifornialicensedfirearms
dealer(privateparty)tosellortransferafirearmtoanothernon-licensedperson
(privateparty)unlessthesaleiscompletedthroughalicensedCaliforniafirearms
dealer.PrivatepartytransferscanbeconductedatanylicensedCalifornia
firearmsdealershipthatsellshandguns.Thebuyerandsellermustcomplete
therequiredDROSdocumentinpersonatthelicensedfirearmsdealershipand
deliverthefirearmtothedealerwhowillretainpossessionofthefirearmduring
themandatoryten-daywaitingperiod.Inadditiontotheapplicablestatefees,
thefirearmsdealermaychargeafeenottoexceed$10perfirearmforconducting
theprivatepartytransfer.
33

Theinfrequenttransferoffirearmsbetweenimmediatefamilymembersisexempt
fromthelawrequiringprivatepartytransferstobeconductedthroughalicensed
firearmsdealer.Forpurposesofthisexemption,immediatefamilymeans
parentandchild,andgrandparentandgrandchildbutdoesnotincludebrothers
orsisters.Pleasenotethatifthefirearmbeingtransferredisahandgun,the
transfereemustcomplywiththeHandgunSafetyCertificaterequirement
describedbelow,priortotakingpossessionofthefirearm.Within30daysofthe
transfer,thetransfereemustalsosubmitareportofthetransactiontotheDOJ.To
obtaintherequiredreportform(FirearmOwnershipRecordBOF4542A),either
contacttheDOJBureauofFirearmsat(916)227-7527ordownloadtheformfrom
theDOJswebsiteatwww.ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms.
ThereclaimingofapawnedfirearmissubjecttotheDROSand10-daywaitingperiod
requirements.
Specificstatutoryrequirementsrelatingtosalesandtransfersoffirearmsfollow:
Proof-of-ResidencyRequirement
TopurchaseahandguninCaliforniayoumustpresentdocumentationindicating
thatyouareaCaliforniaresident.Acceptabledocumentationincludesautility
billfromwithinthelastthreemonths,aresidentiallease,apropertydeedor
militarypermanentdutystationordersindicatingassignmentwithinCalifornia.
TheaddressprovidedontheDROSmustmatcheithertheaddressontheproof-
of-residencydocumentortheaddressonthepurchasersCaliforniaDriverlicense
orIdentificationCard.(Pen.Code,26845.)
HandgunSafetyCertificateRequirement
Topurchaseoracquireahandgun,youmusthaveavalidHandgunSafety
Certificate(HSC).ToobtainanHSC,youmustscoreatleast75%onanobjective
writtentestpertainingtofirearmslawsandsafetyrequirements.Thetestis
administeredbyDOJCertifiedInstructors,whoaregenerallylocatedatfirearms
dealerships.AnHSCisvalidforfiveyears.Youmaybechargedupto$25foran
HSC.Handgunsbeingreturnedtotheirowners,suchaspawnreturns,areexempt
fromthisrequirement.Intheeventofalost,stolenordestroyedHSC,theissuing
DOJCertifiedInstructorwillissueareplacementHSCforafeeof$15.Youmust
presentproofofidentitytoreceiveareplacementHSC.(Pen.Code,31610-31670.)
SafeHandlingDemonstrationRequirement
Priortotakingdeliveryofahandgun,youmustsuccessfullyperformasafe
handlingdemonstrationwiththehandgunbeingpurchasedoracquired.Safe
handlingdemonstrationsmustbeperformedinthepresenceofaDOJCertified
InstructorsometimebetweenthedatetheDROSissubmittedtotheDOJandthe
deliveryofthehandgun,andaregenerallyperformedatthefirearmsdealership.
Thepurchaser,firearmsdealerandDOJCertifiedInstructormustsignanaffidavit
statingthesafehandlingdemonstrationwascompleted.Thestepsrequiredto
completethesafehandlingdemonstrationaredescribedintheappendix.Pawn
returnsandintra-familialtransfersarenotsubjecttothesafehandlingdemonstration
requirement.(Pen.Code,26850.)
34

FirearmsSafetyDeviceRequirement
Allfirearms(longgunsandhandguns)purchasedinCaliforniamustbeaccompanied
withafirearmssafetydevice(FSD)thathaspassedrequiredsafetyandfunctionality
testsandislistedontheDOJsofficialrosterofDOJ-approvedfirearmssafety
devices.ThecurrentrosterofcertifiedFSDsisavailableontheBureauof
Firearmswebsiteathttp://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fsdcertlist. TheFSDrequirement
alsocanbesatisfiedifthepurchasersignsanaffidavitdeclaringownershipof
eitheraDOJ-approvedlockboxoragunsafecapableofaccommodatingthe
firearmbeingpurchased.Pawnreturnsandintra-familialtransfersarenotsubject
totheFSDrequirement.(Pen.Code,23635-23690.)
RosterofHandgunsCertifiedforSaleinCalifornia
Nohandgunmaybesoldbyafirearmsdealertothepublicunlessitisofamake
andmodelthathaspassedrequiredsafetyandfunctionalitytestsandislistedon
theDOJsofficialrosterofhandgunscertifiedforsaleinCalifornia.Thecurrent
rosterofhandgunscertifiedforsaleinCaliforniaisavailableontheBureau
ofFirearmswebsiteathttp://certguns.doj.ca.gov/. Privatepartytransfers,
intra-familialtransfers,andpawn/consignmentreturnsareexemptfromthis
requirement.(Pen.Code,32000.)
One-Handgun-per-Thirty-Days-Requirement
Nopersonshallmakeanapplicationtopurchasemorethanonehandgunwithin
any30-dayperiod.Exemptionstotheone-handgun-per-thirty-daysrequirement
includepawnreturns,intra-familialtransfersandprivatepartytransfers.(Pen.
Code,27540.)
HandgunSalesandTransferRequirements
Retail
Sales
Private
PartyTransfers
Intra-familial
Transfers
Pawn
Returns
Proof-of-Residency
Requirement Yes Yes No Yes
HandgunSafety
CertificateRequirement Yes Yes Yes No
SafeHandling
DemonstrationRequirement Yes Yes No No
FirearmsSafety
DeviceRequirement Yes Yes No No
RosterofHandgunsCertified
forsaleinCalifornia Yes No No No
OneHandgunPer
30DaysRequirement Yes No No No
35

LongGunSalesandTransferRequirements
Retail
Sales
PrivateParty
Transfers
Intra-familial
Transfers
Pawn
Returns
Proof-of-Residency
Requirement No No No No
FirearmsSafety
DeviceRequirement Yes Yes No No
NEWCALIFORNIARESIDENTREQUIREMENT
PersonswhomovetoCaliforniawiththeintentionofestablishingresidency
inthisstatemusteitherreportownershipofhandgunstotheDOJwithin60days,
orsellortransferthehandgun(s)pursuanttoCalifornialaw.(Pen.Code,
28050.)PersonswishingtokeeptheirhandgunsmustsubmitaNewResident
HandgunOwnershipReport,alongwitha$19fee,totheDOJ.Formsareavailable
atlicensedfirearmsdealers,theDepartmentofMotorVehiclesoron-lineatthe
BureauofFirearmswebsiteathttp://oag.ca.gov/firearms/forms.(Pen.Code,
27560.)
CARRYINGACONCEALEDWEAPON
CarryingaConcealedHandgunWithoutaLicenseonOnes
PersonorinaVehicle
Itisillegalforanypersontocarryahandgunconcealeduponhisorherperson
orconcealedinavehiclewithoutalicenseissuedpursuanttoPenalCodesection
26150.(Pen.Code,25400.)Afirearmlockedinamotorvehiclestrunkorina
lockedcontainercarriedinthevehicleotherthanintheutilityorglovecompart-
mentisnotconsideredconcealedwithinthemeaningofthePenalCodesection
25400;neitherisafirearmcarriedwithinalockedcontainerdirectlytoorfroma
motorvehicleforanylawfulpurpose.(Pen.Code,25610.)
Theprohibitionfromcarryingaconcealedhandgundoesnotapplytolicensed
huntersorfishermenwhileengagedinhuntingorfishing,orwhilegoingtoor
returningfromthehuntingexpedition.(Pen.Code,25640.)Notwithstanding
thisexceptionforhuntersorfishermen,theseindividualsmaynotcarryor
transportloadedfirearmswhengoingtoorfromtheexpedition.Theunloaded
firearmsshouldbetransportedinthetrunkofthevehicleorinalockedcontainer
otherthantheutilityorglovecompartment.(Pen.Code,25610.)
Therearealsooccupationalexceptionstotheprohibitionfromcarryinga
concealedweapon,includingauthorizedemployeeswhileengagedinspecified
activities.(Pen.Code,25630,25640.)
36

LicensestoCarryConcealedWeapons
Alicensetocarryaconcealedhandgunorotherfirearmmaybegrantedbythe
sheriffofthecountyinwhichtheapplicantresides,orthechiefofthecitypolice
departmentofthecityinwhichtheapplicantresides.Suchlicensesareissued
onlyafterfindingthattheapplicantisofgoodmoralcharacter,thatgoodcause
existsforsuchalicenseandtheapplicantisnotprohibitedfrompossessing
firearms.(Pen.Code,26150.)
Wherethepopulationofthecountyislessthan200,000persons,thelicensing
authoritymayissuealicensetocarryapistol,revolverorotherfirearmcapable
ofbeingconcealedupontheperson,loadedandexposed.(Pen.Code,26150.)
Unlessotherwiserestricted,alicenseisvalidthroughoutthestate.
FIREARMSABOARDCOMMONCARRIERS
Federalandstatelawsgenerallyprohibitapersonfromcarryinganyfirearm
orammunitionaboardanycommercialpassengerairplane.Similarrestrictions
mayapplytoothercommoncarrierssuchastrains,shipsandbuses.Persons
whoneedtocarryfirearmsorammunitiononacommoncarriershouldalways
consultthecarrierinadvancetodetermineconditionsunderwhichfirearmsmay
betransported.
FIREARMSINTHEHOME,BUSINESSORATTHECAMPSITE
Unlessotherwiseunlawful,anypersonovertheageof18whoisnotprohibited
frompossessingfirearmsmayhavealoadedorunloadedfirearmathisorher
placeofresidence,temporaryresidence,campsiteoronprivatepropertyowned
orlawfullypossessedbytheperson.Anypersonengagedinlawfulbusiness
(includingnonprofitorganizations)oranyofficer,employeeoragentauthorized
forlawfulpurposesconnectedwiththebusinessmayhavealoadedfirearm
withintheplaceofbusinessifthatpersonisover18yearsofageandnototherwise
prohibitedfrompossessingfirearms.(Pen.Code,25605,26035.)
NOTE:Ifapersonsplaceofbusiness,residence,temporaryresidence,campsite
orprivatepropertyislocatedwithinanareawherepossessionofafirearmis
prohibitedbylocalorfederallaws,suchlawswouldprevail.
THEUSEOFLETHALFORCEINSELF-DEFENSE
Thequestionofwhetheruseoflethalforceisjustifiedinself-defensecannot
bereducedtoasimplelistoffactors.Thissectionisbasedontheinstructions
generallygiventothejuryinacriminalcasewhereself-defenseisclaimed
andillustratesthegeneralrulesregardingtheuseoflethalforceinself-defense.
PermissibleUseofLethalForceinDefenseofLifeandBody
Thekillingofonepersonbyanothermaybejustifiablewhennecessarytoresist
theattempttocommitaforcibleandlife-threateningcrime,providedthata
37

reasonablepersoninthesameorsimilarsituationwouldbelievethat(a)theperson
killedintendedtocommitaforcibleandlife-threateningcrime;(b)therewas
imminentdangerofsuchcrimebeingaccomplished;and(c)thepersonacted
underthebeliefthatsuchforcewasnecessarytosavehimselforherselforanother
fromdeathoraforcibleandlife-threateningcrime.Murder,mayhem,rapeand
robberyareexamplesofforcibleandlife-threateningcrimes.(Pen.Code,197.)
LimitationsontheUseofForceinSelf-Defense
Therightofself-defenseceaseswhenthereisnofurtherdangerfromanassailant.
Thus,whereapersonattackedundercircumstancesinitiallyjustifyingself-defense
renderstheattackerincapableofinflictingfurtherinjuries,thelawofself-defense
ceasesandnofurtherforcemaybeused.Furthermore,apersonmayonlyusethe
amountofforce,uptodeadlyforce,asareasonablepersoninthesameorsimilar
circumstanceswouldbelievenecessarytopreventimminentinjury.Itisimportant
tonotetheuseofexcessiveforcetocounteranassaultmayresultincivilor
criminalpenalties.
Therightofself-defenseisnotinitiallyavailabletoapersonwhoassaultsanother.
However,ifsuchapersonattemptstostopfurthercombatandclearlyinformsthe
adversaryofhisorherdesireforpeacebuttheopponentneverthelesscontinues
thefight,therightofself-defensereturnsandisthesameastherightofany
otherpersonbeingassaulted.
LOADEDFIREARMSINPUBLIC
Itisillegaltocarryaloadedfirearmononespersonorinavehiclewhileinany
publicplace,onanypublicstreet,orinanyplacewhereitisunlawfultodischarge
afirearm.(Pen.Code,25850,subd.(a).)
Itisillegalforthedriverofanymotorvehicle,ortheownerofanymotorvehicle
irrespectiveofwhethertheownerisoccupyingthevehicletoknowinglypermit
anypersontocarryaloadedfirearmintothevehicleinviolationofPenalCode
section25850,orFishandGameCodesection2006.(Pen.Code,26100.)Also,
seeMiscellaneousProhibitedActsonnextpage.
Inordertodeterminewhetherafirearmisloaded,peaceofficersareauthorized
toexamineanyfirearmcarriedbyanyoneonhisorherpersonorinavehicle
whileinanypublicplace,onanypublicstreetorinanyprohibitedareaofan
unincorporatedterritory.Refusaltoallowapeaceofficertoinspectafirearm
pursuanttotheseprovisionsis,initself,groundsforarrest.(Pen.Code,25850,
subd.(b).)
Theprohibitionfromcarryingaloadedfirearminpublicdoesnotapplytoany
personwhilehuntinginanareawherepossessionandhuntingisotherwise
lawfulorwhilepracticeshootingattargetranges.(Pen.Code,26005,26040.)
Therearealsooccupationalexceptionstotheprohibitionfromcarryingaloaded
firearminpublic,includingauthorizedemployeeswhileengagedinspecified
activities.(Pen.Code,26015,26030.)
38

MISCELLANEOUSPROHIBITEDACTS
ObliterationorAlterationofFirearmIdentification
Itisillegalforanypersontoobliterateoraltertheidentificationmarksplacedon
anyfirearmincludingthemake,model,serialnumberoranydistinguishingmark
lawfullyassignedbytheownerorbytheDOJ.(Pen.Code,23900.)
Itisillegalforanypersontobuy,sellorpossessafirearmknowingitsidentification
hasbeenobliteratedoraltered.(Pen.Code,23920.)
OpenlyCarryinganUnloadedHandgun
Itisgenerallyillegalforanypersontocarryuponhisorherpersonorina
vehicle,anexposedandunloadedhandgunwhileinoron:
Apublicplaceorpublicstreetinanincorporatedcityorcityandcounty;
or
Apublicstreetinaprohibitedareaofanunincorporatedcityorcityand
county.(Pen.Code,26350.)
UnauthorizedPossessionofaFirearmonSchoolGrounds
Itisillegalforanyunauthorizedpersontopossessorbringafirearmuponthe
groundsof,orinto,anypublicschool,includingthecampusesoftheUniversity
ofCalifornia,CaliforniaStateUniversitycampuses,Californiacommunitycolleges,
anyprivateschool(Kindergartenthrough12thgrade)orprivateuniversityor
college.(Pen.Code,626.9.)
UnauthorizedPossessionofaFirearminaCourtroom,
theStateCapitol,etc.
Itisillegalforanyunauthorizedpersontobringorpossessanyfirearmwithina
courtroom,courthouse,courtbuildingoratanymeetingrequiredtobeopento
thepublic.(Pen.Code,171b.)
Itisillegalforanyunauthorizedpersontobringorpossessaloadedfirearm
within(includinguponthegroundsof)theStateCapitol,anylegislativeoffice,
anyofficeoftheGovernororotherconstitutionalofficer,anySenateorAssembly
hearingroom,theGovernorsMansionoranyotherresidenceoftheGovernoror
theresidenceofanyconstitutionalofficeroranyMemberoftheLegislature.For
thesepurposes,afirearmshallbedeemedloadedwheneverboththefirearmand
itsunexpendedammunitionareintheimmediatepossessionofthesameperson.
(Pen.Code,171c,171d,171e.)
DrawingorExhibitingaFirearm
Ifanotherpersonispresent,itisillegalforanyperson,exceptinselfdefense,to
draworexhibitaloadedorunloadedfirearminarude,angryorthreatening
mannerorinanymanneruseafirearminafightorquarrel.(Pen.Code,417.)
39

ThreateningActswithaFirearmonaPublicStreetor
Highway
Itisillegalforanypersontodraworexhibitaloadedorunloadedfirearmina
threateningmanneragainstanoccupantofamotorvehiclewhichisonapublic
streetorhighwayinsuchawaythatwouldcauseareasonablepersonapprehension
orfearofbodilyharm.(Pen.Code,417.3.)
DischargeofaFirearminaGrosslyNegligentManner
Itisillegalforanypersontowillfullydischargeafirearminagrosslynegligent
mannerwhichcouldresultininjuryordeathtoaperson.(Pen.Code,246.3.)
DischargeofaFirearmatanInhabited/OccupiedDwelling,
Building,Vehicle,Aircraft
Itisillegalforanypersontomaliciouslyandwillfullydischargeafirearmatan
inhabiteddwelling,house,occupiedbuilding,occupiedmotorvehicle,occupied
aircraft,inhabitedhousecarorinhabitedcamper.(Pen.Code,246.)
DischargeofaFirearmatanUnoccupiedAircraft,Motor
Vehicle,orUninhabitedBuildingorDwelling
Itisillegalforanypersontowillfullyandmaliciouslydischargeafirearmatan
unoccupiedaircraft.Itisillegalforanypersontodischargeafirearmatan
unoccupiedmotorvehicle,buildingordwelling.Thisdoesnotapplytoan
abandonedvehicle,anunoccupiedmotorvehicleoruninhabitedbuildingor
dwellingwithpermissionoftheownerandifotherwiselawful.(Pen.Code,247.)
DischargeofaFirearmfromaMotorVehicle
Itisillegalforanypersontowillfullyandmaliciouslydischargeafirearmfroma
motorvehicle.Adriverorownerofavehiclewhoallowsanypersontodischarge
afirearmfromthevehiclemaybepunishedbyuptothreeyearsimprisonment
instateprison.(Pen.Code,26100.)
CriminalStorage
CriminalstorageoffirearmofthefirstdegreeKeepinganyloadedfirearmwithin
anypremisesthatareunderyourcustodyorcontrolandyouknoworreasonably
shouldknowthatachild(anypersonunder18)islikelytogainaccesstothe
firearmwithoutthepermissionofthechildsparentorlegalguardianandthechild
obtainsaccesstothefirearmandtherebycausesdeathorgreatbodilyinjuryto
himself,herself,oranyotherperson.(Pen.Code,25100,subd.(a).)
CriminalstorageoffirearmoftheseconddegreeKeepinganyloadedfirearm
withinanypremisesthatareunderyourcustodyorcontrolandyouknowor
reasonablyshouldknowthatachild(anypersonunder18)islikelytogainaccess
tothefirearmwithoutthepermissionofthechildsparentorlegalguardianand
thechildobtainsaccesstothefirearmandtherebycausesinjury,otherthangreat
bodilyinjury,tohimself,herself,oranyotherperson,orcarriesthefirearmeither
40

toapublicplaceorinviolationofPenalCodesection417.(Pen.Code,25100,
subd.(b).)
Neitherofthecriminalstorageoffenses(firstdegree,seconddegree)shallapply
wheneverthefirearmiskeptinalockedcontainerorlockedwithalocking
devicethathasrenderedthefirearminoperable.(Pen.Code,25105.)
Sales,TransfersandLoansofFirearmstoMinors
Generally,itisillegaltosell,loanortransferanyfirearmtoapersonunder18
yearsofage,ortosellahandguntoapersonunder21yearsofage.(Pen.Code,
27505.)
PossessionofaHandgunorLiveAmmunitionbyMinors
Itisunlawfulforaminortopossessahandgunorliveammunitionunlessone
ofthefollowingcircumstancesexists:
Theminorisaccompaniedbyhisorherparentorlegalguardianandthe
minorisactivelyengagedinalawfulrecreationalsporting,ranchingor
huntingactivity,oramotionpicture,televisionorotherentertainment
event;
Theminorisaccompaniedbyaresponsibleadultandhaspriorwritten
consentofhisorherparentorlegalguardianandisinvolvedinone
oftheactivitiescitedabove;or
Theminorisatleast16yearsofage,haspriorwrittenconsentofhis
orherparentorlegalguardian,andtheminorisinvolvedinoneof
theactivitiescitedabove.(Pen.Code,29610-29655.)
PERSONSINELIGIBLETOPOSSESSFIREARMS
Thefollowingpersonsareprohibitedfrompossessingfirearms(Pen.Code,
29800-29825,29900;Welf.&Inst.Code,8100,8103.):
LifetimeProhibitions
AnypersonconvictedofanyfelonyoranyoffenseenumeratedinPenal
Codesection29905.
AnypersonconvictedofanoffenseenumeratedinPenalCodesection
23515.
AnypersonwithtwoormoreconvictionsforviolatingPenalCodesection
417,subdivision(a)(2).
Anypersonadjudicatedtobeamentallydisorderedsexoffender.(Welf.&
Inst.Code,8103,subd.(a)(1).)
Anypersonfoundbyacourttobementallyincompetenttostandtrialor
notguiltybyreasonofinsanityofanycrime,unlessthecourthasmade
afindingofrestorationofcompetenceorsanity.(Welf.&Inst.Code,
8103,subd.(b)(1),(c)(1),and(d)(1).)
41

10-YearProhibitions
Anypersonconvictedofamisdemeanorviolationofthefollowing:Penal
Codesections71,76,136.5,140,148(d),171b,171c,171d,186.28,240,241,
242,243,244.5,245,245.5,246,246.3,247,273.5,273.6,417,417.1,
417.2,417.6,422,626.9,646.9,830.95(a),17500,17510(a),25300,25800,
27510,27590(c),30315,or32625,andWelfareandInstitutionsCode
sections871.5,1001.5,8100,8101,or8103.
5-YearProhibitions
Anypersontakenintocustodyasadangertoselforothers,assessed,and
admittedtoamentalhealthfacilityunderWelfareandInstitutionsCode
sections5150,5151,5152;orcertifiedunderWelfareandInstitutionsCode
sections5250,5260,5270.15.
JuvenileProhibitions
Juvenilesadjudgedwardsofthejuvenilecourtareprohibiteduntilthey
reachage30iftheycommittedanoffenselistedinWelfareand
InstitutionsCodesection707,subdivision(b).
MiscellaneousProhibitions
Anypersondeniedfirearmpossessionasaconditionofprobation
pursuanttoPenalCodesection29900,subdivision(c).
Anypersonchargedwithafelonyoffense,pendingresolutionofthe
matter(18U.S.C.922(g).)
Anypersonwhileheorsheiseitheravoluntarypatientinamental
healthfacilityorunderagravelydisabledconservatorship(duetoa
mentaldisorderorimpairmentbychronicalcoholism)andifheorshe
isfoundtobeadangertoselforothers(Welf.&Inst.Code,8103,subd.
(e).)
Anypersonaddictedtotheuseofnarcotics(Pen.Code,29800,subd.
(a).)
Anypersonwhocommunicatesathreat(againstanyreasonably
identifiablevictim)toalicensedpsychotherapistwhichissubsequently
reportedtolawenforcement,isprohibitedforsixmonths(Welf.&Inst.
Code,8104,subd.(c).)
AnypersonwhoissubjecttoaprotectiveorderasdefinedinFamilyCode
section6218,PenalCodesection136.2,oratemporaryrestrainingorder
issuedpursuanttoCodeofCivilProceduresections527.6or527.8.
42

CHAPTER5: SelfTest
1. Itisillegalforapersonconvicted
ofanyfelonyoffensetopossessa
firearm.(page41)
True False
2. Tolegallygiveafirearmtoyour
bestfriendasabirthdaygift,you
mustcompletethetransferofthe
firearmthroughalicensedfirearms
dealer.(page33)
True False
3. Itisillegaltolendahandguntoa
minorwithoutthepermissionof
theminorsparentorlegal
guardian.(page41)
True False
4. Generally,apersonmaylegally
havealoadedhandgun,if
otherwiselawful,athisorher
campsite.(page37)
True False
5. Itisillegaltobuy,sellor
possessahandgunknowingits
identificationmarkshavebeen
erasedoraltered.(page39)
True False
A n s w e r s : 1 : T r u e , 2 : T r u e , 3 : T r u e , 4 : T r u e , 5 : T r u e
43

Appendix
SAFEHANDLINGDEMONSTRATIONSTEPS
PursuanttoPenalCodesection26850,priortotakingdeliveryofahandgunfrom
alicensedfirearmsdealerinCalifornia,anindividualmustcorrectlyperforma
safehandlingdemonstrationwiththehandgunheorsheisacquiring.Thisappendix
listseachofthestatutorilymandatedstepsthatconstitutethesafehandling
demonstrationforthethreemostcommonhandguntypes(semiautomaticpistols,
double-actionrevolversandsingle-actionrevolvers).However,thisinformation
willnotappearontheDOJwrittentestonhandgunsafety.Pleasenotethata
dummyroundasstatedinthisguidemeansonebrightorange,redorother
readilyidentifiabledummyround.Ifnoreadilyidentifiabledummyroundis
available,anemptycartridgecasingwithanemptyprimerpocketmaybeused.
SEMIAUTOMATICPISTOL:
45

Thedemonstrationshallcommencewiththehandgununloadedandlockedwiththe
firearmsafetydevicewithwhichitisrequiredtobedelivered,ifapplicable.While
maintainingmuzzleawareness(thatis,thefirearmispointedinasafedirection,
preferablydownattheground)andtriggerdiscipline(thatis,thetriggerfingeris
outsideofthetriggerguardandalongsideofthehandgunframe)atalltimes,the
handgunrecipientshallcorrectlyandsafelyperformthefollowing:
I. Removethemagazine.
II. Locktheslideback.Ifthemodel
offirearmdoesnotallowtheslide
tobelockedback,pulltheslide
back,visuallyandphysicallycheck
thechambertoensurethatitis
clear.
III. Visuallyandphysicallyinspectthe
chamber,toensurethatthe
handgunisunloaded.
IV. Removethefirearmsafetydevice,
ifapplicable.Ifthefirearmsafety
devicepreventsanyofthe
previoussteps,removethe
firearmsafetydeviceduringthe
appropriatestep.
V. Loadonedummyroundintothe
magazine.
VI. Insertthemagazineintothe
magazinewellofthefirearm.
46
VII. Manipulatetheslidereleaseor
pullbackandreleasetheslide.
VIII.Removethemagazine.
IX. Visuallyinspectthechamber
torevealthataroundcanbe
chamberedwiththemagazine
removed.
X. Locktheslidebacktoejectthe
dummyround.Ifthehandgunis
ofamodelthatdoesnotallow
theslidetobelockedback,pull
theslidebackandphysically
checkthechambertoensurethat
thechamberisclear.
XI. Applythesafety,ifapplicable.
XII. Applythefirearmsafetydevice,
ifapplicable.
47
DOUBLE-ACTIONREVOLVER:
Thedemonstrationshallcommencewiththehandgununloadedandlockedwiththe
firearmsafetydevicewithwhichitisrequiredtobedelivered,ifapplicable.While
maintainingmuzzleawareness(thatis,thefirearmispointedinasafedirection,
preferablydownattheground)andtriggerdiscipline(thatis,thetriggerfingeris
outsideofthetriggerguardandalongsideofthehandgunframe)atalltimes,the
handgunrecipientshallcorrectlyandsafelyperformthefollowing:
I. Openthecylinder II. Visuallyandphysicallyinspect
eachchambertoensurethatthe
revolverisunloaded.
48
III. Removethefirearmsafetydevice.
Ifthefirearmsafetydevice
preventsanyoftheprevious
steps,removethefirearmsafety
deviceduring
theappropriatestep.
IV. Whilemaintainingmuzzle
awarenessandtriggerdiscipline,
loadonedummyroundintoa
chamberofthecylinderand
rotatethecylindersothatthe
roundisinthenext-to-fire
position.
V. Closethecylinder.
VI. Openthecylinderandeject
theround.
VII. Visuallyandphysicallyinspect
eachchambertoensurethatthe
revolverisunloaded.
VIII.Applythefirearmsafetydevice,
ifapplicable.
49
SINGLE-ACTIONREVOLVER:
Thedemonstrationshallcommencewiththehandgununloadedandlockedwith
thefirearmsafetydevicewithwhichitisrequiredtobedelivered,ifapplicable.
Whilemaintainingmuzzleawareness(thatis,thefirearmispointedinasafe
direction,preferablydownattheground)andtriggerdiscipline(thatis,the
triggerfingerisoutsideofthetriggerguardandalongsideofthehandgunframe)
atalltimes,thehandgunrecipientshallcorrectlyandsafelyperformthefollowing:
I. Opentheloadinggate. II. Visuallyandphysicallyinspect
eachchambertoensurethatthe
revolverisunloaded.
50

III. Removethefirearmsafetydevice
requiredtobesoldwiththe
handgun.Ifthefirearmsafety
devicepreventsanyofthe
previoussteps,removethe
firearmsafetydeviceduringthe
appropriatestep.
IV. Loadonedummyroundinto
achamberofthecylinder,
closetheloadinggateand
rotatethecylindersothatthe
roundisinthenext-to-fire
position(therevolvermay
needtobeplacedonhalf-cockor
theloadinggatereopened).
V. Opentheloadinggateand
unloadtherevolver.
VI. Visuallyandphysicallyinspect
eachchambertoensurethatthe
revolverisunloaded.
VII. Applythefirearmsafetydevice,if
applicable.
1873Rule:Recipientsoforiginal
*
versionsofsingle-actionarmy
revolversshouldbeadvisedto
carryfiveroundsinthecylinder
andleavethechamberunder
thehammerempty.
51

SafeHandlingDemonstrationGlossary
Action:Aseriesofmovingpartsthat
allowafirearmtobeloaded,fired
andunloaded.
Barrel:Themetaltubethroughwhicha
bulletpassesonitswaytoatarget.
Breech:Thepartofafirearmattherear
ofthebarrel.
Bullet:Theprojectilelocatedatthetip
ofthecartridgecase.
Caliber:Thebulletorbarreldiameter.
Cartridge: Asingleunitofammunition
madeupofthecase,primer,
propellantandbullet.
Case:Ametalcylinderthatisclosedat
oneendandcontainstheother
threecomponentsofthe
cartridge.
Chamber:Thepartofagunwherethe
cartridgeislocatedwhenthegun
isloaded.
Cylinder:Thepartofarevolver
thatholdsammunitionin
individualchambers.
CylinderLatch: Alatchondouble-
actionrevolversthatallowsthe
cylindertoswingout.
Double-Action: Atypeofhandgun
actioninwhichasinglepull
ofthetriggerbothcocksthe
hammerandreleasesit.
DummyRound: Aninertcartridge
withoutpowderandprimer.
EjectorRod:Thepartusedtoremove
cartridgesfromthecylinder.
Grip: Thehandleofthehandgun.
Hammer: Thepartofthehandgun
actionthatdrivesthefiring
pinforward.
Jam:Amalfunctionthatprevents
afirearmfromfiringproperly.
Magazine:Aseparatebox-likemetal
containerforsemi-automatic
pistolsintowhichcartridges
areloaded.
MagazineRelease:Adevicethat
releasesthemagazinesothatit
canberemovedfromthepistol.
MagazineWell: Theopeningina
firearmintowhichamagazine
isinserted.
Muzzle:Thefrontendofthebarrel
fromwhichabulletexits.
Revolver: Ahandgunthathasa
rotatingcylindercontaininga
numberofchambers.
Round:Seecartridge.
Safety:Adevicelocatedonmost
semiautomaticpistolsthatis
designedtopreventfiring.
Semiautomaticpistol: Ahandgunthat
firesasinglecartridgeeachtime
thetriggerispulledandwhich
automaticallyextractsandejects
theemptycartridgecaseand
reloadsthechamber.
Single-action: Atypeofhandgun
actioninwhichpullingthetrigger
causesthehammertorelease.
TriggerGuard: Locatedonthe
undersideofthegun,thetrigger
guardisdesignedtoprotect
thetrigger.
52







If you have any comments or suggestions
regarding this publication, please send them to:
Department of Justice
Bureau of Firearms / HSC Unit
P.O. Box 160367
Sacramento, CA 95816-0367
or via our website at
http://oag.ca.gov/firearms
Printed on recycled paper