You pull the trigger and the gun does not fire. What should you do?
Keep the muzzle pointed safely, wait, then carefully unload.
- Look down the barrel to see what happened
- Keep the muzzle safe, wait, then unload carefully ✔
- Pull the trigger again right away
Why: A round that did not fire can still go off a moment later. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and your face away from the breech. Hunter education courses teach waiting at least 30 seconds before opening the action.
Huh, didn't know that: The NSSF reminds shooters that any time there is a cartridge in the chamber, the gun is loaded.
Why did the hunter wait so patiently? He knew good things come to those who wait.
References
Answer: Keep the muzzle safe, wait, then unload carefully. A round that did not fire can still go off a moment later. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and your face away from the breech. Hunter education courses teach waiting at least 30 seconds before opening the action.
- NSSF, Rules of Firearms Safety www.nssf.org/safety/rules-firearms-safety
keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your face away from the breech. Then, carefully open the action
Checked 2026-10-08. - CT DEEP Hunter Safety Exam Answer Key portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/hunting_trapping/pdf_files/Hunter_Safety_Manual/ExamAnswerKey.pdf?la=en
If a cartridge does not fire immediately after pulling the trigger, wait at least 30 seconds to determine if it is a misfire. True.
Checked 2026-10-08.
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