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What Should You Know About The FSC Practice Test? Before coming to the FSC practice test, let’s find out general information about firearm safety law in California. In California, firearm safety is mandatory. Every person who owns a firearm needs to be familiar with and compliant with the protocols for the safe operation of firearms, […]

Updated at June 28, 2022

What Should You Know About The FSC Practice Test?

Before coming to the FSC practice test, let’s find out general information about firearm safety law in California.

In California, firearm safety is mandatory. Every person who owns a firearm needs to be familiar with and compliant with the protocols for the safe operation of firearms, have a fundamental comprehension of how to operate and manage their pistol, and be fully conscious of the obligations that come along with such ownership.

According to section 26840 of the Penal Code, anybody who acquires a firearm must be in possession of a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC), unless they are statutorily excused from this need. In order to get a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC), a person must first demonstrate their knowledge of firearms safety by passing a written examination given by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The test is administered by DOJ Certified Instructors, who are often found working at local gun shops.

In this article, we will provide you with beneficial information about the FSC test and practice test, therefore you may have a comprehensive understanding about this certification.

What is FSC?

You may demonstrate that you have satisfied the criteria for weapon safety training imposed by the state of California by obtaining a firearm safety certificate (FSC). You might argue that this certificate proves that you are legally able to acquire a handgun in the state of California and legally possess one as well. In addition, those who are licensed to possess long guns are protected by this handgun safety certificate. 

Every person who owns a handgun in the state of California is required by law to be aware of their responsibility to use their firearm in a responsible manner. A financial support certificate (FSC) is a document that is legally obligatory and indicates that you understand and accept this commitment. 

Because this only applies to gun owners in California, you should make sure you are current on the gun restrictions in your state so that you are aware of how these regulations affect gun ownership in your state.

Why Should You Take FSC Certifications?

Having a handgun comes with a significant amount of responsibility, and in order to fulfill this obligation, one must first receive a Firearm Safety Certificate. Obtaining a Firearm Safety Certificate is not just about ticking a box and adding it to your resume. Below are five compelling arguments in favor of obtaining a certificate in firearm safety.

Safety for the Family

A FSC Certificate will teach you how to handle and operate a weapon in a responsible manner. You will also learn how to correctly store your handgun as part of the FSC program. The majority of people decide to get a firearm so that they can better defend their households. You may find that fulfilling the requirements for a Firearm Safety Certificate helps you accomplish this goal. 

Additionally, it is recommended that every member of the family get a Firearm Safety Certificate. We’ve all heard stories of members of a family being maimed or even killed by a weapon that was kept in the home. One possible reason for this is that not everyone in the home has been instructed in the correct way to handle a firearm that has been loaded.

Responsibility

It is important to recognize the weight of the responsibility that comes with owning a firearm. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the inner workings of your weapon and to know how to use it in a manner that is both effective and secure. In addition to this duty, you are responsible for ensuring that your weapon is properly maintained and that any ammunition is stored in a separate location.

Requirement

A major reason to get a Firearm Safety Certificate is because it is required by law. It is against the law for a gun dealer to sell you a handgun if you do not possess such a certificate. If you are “discovered” to be in possession of a firearm for which you do not have the appropriate certificate, your rights to own firearms may be revoked.

Best Protection

During the mandatory instruction on weapon safety, each and every aspect of safe gun handling will be discussed. Having knowledge, much like having an advantage in many other aspects of life, is the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Knowing how to properly store a firearm, how to properly care for a firearm, and how to properly use a weapon are all vital components of keeping your family safe.

Know the Laws

Before you could get your driver’s license, you had to prove that you were familiar with the rules of the road. On the road, doing so was necessary to ensure both your own and the safety of others around you. The same idea applies when trying to comprehend the laws governing firearms. Before you can learn how to efficiently use a handgun, you need to first educate yourself on the legislation governing firearms and how to maintain your weapon in the correct manner. It is essential, not only for your personal safety but also for the safety of those who are close to you, to be familiar with the rules governing firearms.

How Hard is the FSC Test?

In order to be awarded an FSC, you are required to get a score of at least 75% on the FSC Test, which consists of questions about basic weapon rules and firearm safety (23 right answers out of 30 questions). The true/false and multiple choice examinations are administered by teachers who have been granted certification by the Department of Justice and may often be found working at gun stores.  Since this is a certification for the public, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get this certificate. The only thing you need to pay attention to is understanding the law.

Where Can I Take the FSC Test in Los Angeles?

The FSC test may be taken at any of Turner’s Outdoorsman’s locations, and those who are successful can pick up their certification at the store itself. In order to assist individuals in their preparation for the FSC test, the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the state of California prepared the study guide. 

Firearm Safety Certificates (FSCs) are now being issued by the California Department of Justice in various states, including Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, and Los Angeles. It means that you can take the FSC certification in Los Angeles.

Can I Take the FSC Test Online?

No, unfortunately. Firearms Safety Certification has been an offline process until now. Only in person, so visit a gun shop or take a firearms course. Since this is an exam that involves understanding the law and indirectly affects public safety, allowing online testing may not prevent candidates from cheating.

Can You Take the FSC Test at Big 5?

“You may take the FSC exam here, but you are REQUIRED to buy a gun here straight after,” says a Big 5 manager.

How Many Questions Are on the FSC Test?

The examination comprises thirty questions and includes not only fundamental firearm law but also basic firearm safety. All questions are true/false or multiple choice in nature. A score of at least 75 percent, which is equivalent to 23 correct responses out of a total of 30, is required to pass this test.

How Many Times Can You Fail the FSC Test?

A second retake of the test is available to you for a price of $25, should it be necessary. In the event that you do not pass the test on the first attempt, you have the option of taking it again for free from the same DOJ Certified Instructor after a period of twenty-four hours has elapsed.

How Long is a Firearm Competency Certificate Valid?

The Competency with a handgun is valid for a period of 5 years, but the proficiency with a rifle, shotgun, or self-loading rifle is valid for a period of 10 years. Your SAPS Competency certificate will be valid for a period of 10 years beginning on the day it was issued.

Can You Take FSC in Spanish?

The real exam is offered in both English and Spanish language options. Exams are administered by California Department of Justice Certified Instructors, who may often be found working at weapons retailers.

Do I Need to Renew my California Firearm Safety Certificate?

Is it required for me to renew my California Firearm Safety Certificate? Yes. If you do not remember the information, you will need to repeat the test and pay the associated fee. The FSC certificate has a five-year validity period.

Do Veterans Need FSC in California?

Veterans who have served their country honorably and are still serving in the military or in the reserves are exempt from the requirement that they get an FSC in order to purchase a new weapon.

What Will the FSC Test Cover?

Questions on the foundations of safe handgun handling will be presented in both true/false and multiple-choice formats throughout the test. Among the potential themes of inquiry are:

  • Safe-handling guidelines
  • A firearm’s components and functioning
  • Different types of ammunition
  • Fundamentals of shooting
  • Positions for shooting
  • Repairing gun malfunctions
  • How to properly clean a weapon
  • The application of accessories
  • Development of abilities

In addition, the study guide for the firearms safety certificate goes into more depth on the subject of firearm safety. You should be sure to read all of the material in the study guide, including the most recent rules on firearms in the state of California. If you utilize the study guide to prepare for the test for a long gun or handgun safety certificate, you will have an edge over other candidates since the study guide provides the bulk of the solutions to the exam’s questions.

What Are the FSC Requirements?

A candidate has to be at least 18 years old and in possession of a valid California driver’s license or “California Department of Motor Vehicles Identification Card” in order to be eligible to take the FSC test. It is important to be aware that after a person reaches the age of 18, they may only purchase long guns. If you are less than 18 years old, you are required to possess a valid hunting license that has not yet expired.

In the majority of situations, you need to be at least 21 years old to lawfully acquire your FSC.

If you are only borrowing a pistol from a relative or acquiring one from a relative, there are also some extra requirements that may apply to you. Because some restrictions may not be as well recognized, you need to make sure that you cover all of your bases in order to avoid getting a ticket or having to pay a fine.

What are the repercussions, for instance, if you use a weapon that was lent to you? To put it another way, the answer to this question will be conditional on the specifics of the scenario. When someone loans you a firearm, the conventional rule is that you need to provide proof that you have a valid FSC. On the other hand, an FSC is not necessary if the weapon is just being rented for a period of three days or less and the person who loaned it is present at all times.

If your mother or father is passing down a firearm to you, you need to have a valid FSC in order to receive it.

Moving to California while possessing a pistol is yet another topic that garners a lot of interest. If you are currently in possession of a firearm and want to go to California with it, do you need an FSC? Incorrect, that is not the situation. You will not need an FSC in order to carry your firearm into the state of California.

In brief, it is a frequent misperception that the FSC is only required when buying a weapon; nonetheless, it is required whenever a firearm is acquired.

What Are the FSC Exemptions?

By law, every person who purchases a firearm in the state of California is obliged to complete a firearm safety course and get a firearm safety certificate before they may legally own a handgun. This statutory obligation applies to all gun owners, with the exception of those people who are specifically exempted by the law. The following is a list of some of the exemptions granted by the FSC:

  • Holders with a special weapons permit
  • Military personnel, whether active duty, reserve, or honorably retired
  • California peace officers that are currently on the job or federal peace officers
  • Honorably retired federal peace officers and California reserve peace police
  • Representatives of the law in action
  • Those with a federal weapons license (FFL) who collect antique firearms
  • Peace officers with specific and restricted powers
  • Long-gun owners with a current hunting license
  • Holders of a concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit
  • Guns are given to family members by law enforcement officers.

Do You Need a FSC to Purchase or Sell Firearms?

The industry of weapons is seeing phenomenal growth.

If you are in this line of work, you have a lot of different options for what you can sell and where you can sell it, such as selling accessories and ammunition online or selling guns at tradeshows. Therefore, what routes may you take to get your certification in the state of California?

To buy or sell firearms in the state of California, you are required to have a current firearm safety certificate unless the law specifically exempts you from this need (see the above list regarding exemptions). If your organization does not have any customers in California or any shipments going there, you do not need to be worried about this extra safety measure.

What is the demonstration of safe handling?

You are required to successfully complete a safe handling demonstration on or after the date that the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) was submitted to the Department of Justice. This must be done before you may receive your firearm (DOJ). It is standard practice to begin the safe handling demonstration before the DROS in order to increase the likelihood that you will be allowed to acquire the pistol of your choice. If you have any concerns about the safe handling demonstration or the weapon safety certificate, you can ask at the gun shop in your area.

What to do if you have a physical disability?

If you have a physical disability that prevents you from performing the safe handling demonstration, you have the option of producing a written and signed statement from a qualified physician explaining why you are unable to do so. This statement must explain why you are unable to execute the demonstration. This exemption does not apply to FSC testing; rather, it only relates to the demonstration of safe handling.

FAQs About FSC Practice Test

Is a valid Firearm Safety Certificate necessary while borrowing a firearm?

It is contingent on the existing circumstances. Everyone who wants to borrow a firearm must provide a current and valid FSC. If the loan of the handgun is for a period of less than three days and the person who is lending the handgun is present with the person who is borrowing the weapon at all times, then an FSC is not required.

Is my FSC required to be carried with me anytime I hold or transfer my firearm?

No. The simple ownership of a firearm does not need a Firearms Safety Certificate. When you start a transaction with a gun dealer to purchase or sell a firearm, however, you are required to show the dealer your FSC card.

Can I obtain a replacement for my FSC if I lose it?

Yes. You are only eligible to get a new FSC from the DOJ Certified Instructor who originally awarded your previous one. A new FSC may be purchased at a price of $5 each. Your existing FSC will still be valid until the expiration date shown on the new FSC.

Is an FSC required to purchase a shotgun in California?

No. The simple ownership of a firearm does not need a Firearms Safety Certificate. When you start a transaction with a gun dealer to purchase or sell a firearm, however, you are required to show the dealer your FSC card.

I’m relocating to California and will be bringing my firearm with me. Do I need a FSC?

You will not need to have an FSC in order to carry your pistol into the state of California. On the other hand, the entry of personal weapons is subject to a number of stringent regulations, each of which may be found outlined in further depth on the website of the California Department of Justice.

Do I still need a FSC if I already have a Handgun Safety Certificate?

o A current and valid HSC may still be used toward the purchase or acquisition of a weapon up to the time when it expires. An FSC is required for any purchases or acquisitions of long guns that take place on or after January 1, 2015. An FSC allows for the purchase of both handguns and long weapons, including rifles and shotguns.

Is there a limit on how many guns I may purchase?

There are not any restrictions at all, no. However, the waiting period before pickup and the restriction of only being able to purchase one pistol per 30 days put a limit on the number of firearms you may purchase in a particular period of time.

What are the exemptions to the “safe handling demonstration” requirement?

An exception may be requested via the FSC program in the case that a person’s physical condition precludes them from doing the safe handling demonstration. In order to qualify for this exemption, a person must provide a letter that has been signed and written by a certified physician attesting that a physical handicap precludes the individual from doing the safe handling demonstration. 

This exemption is only valid for the purpose of demonstrating safe handling procedures. A waiver from the FSC requirement is not available for those who suffer from physical limitations.

Above is all information about the FSC test and FSC practice test, which can be beneficial in case you want to purchase and acquire a firearm.