AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/hunt-open-and-empty

When can you be absolutely certain a gun cannot fire?

When the action is open and it is completely empty.

Start playing free

  1. When the action is open and the gun is empty ✔
  2. When the safety is on
  3. When the magazine has been removed

Why: A safety can fail, and a removed magazine can still leave a round in the chamber. Only an open, empty action is certain. That is why you open the action and look whenever you pick up or hand over a gun.

Huh, didn't know that: The NSSF says a dropped gun can fire even with the safety on if the blow is hard enough.

The dad joke
Why did the gun case love open houses? It liked everything out in the open.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: When the action is open and the gun is empty. A safety can fail, and a removed magazine can still leave a round in the chamber. Only an open, empty action is certain. That is why you open the action and look whenever you pick up or hand over a gun.

  1. NSSF, Rules of Firearms Safety www.nssf.org/safety/rules-firearms-safety
    The only time you can be absolutely certain that a gun cannot fire is when the action is open and it is completely empty.
    Checked 2026-10-08.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Hunting SafetyWhich way should you face while unloading a firearm before handing it over?Hunting SafetyUnder the primary rules of firearm safety, how should you treat every firearm?Hunting SafetyWhen carrying a firearm, where should your trigger finger be?

That's stuff everyone should know.