South Africa Firearm Competency - Handgun (US 119649) Exam

Which South African legislation primary regulates the licensing, possession, and use of firearms?

• AThe Arms and Ammunition Act 75 of 1969
• BThe Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000
• CThe Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
• DThe National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996

Within what timeframe must the loss, theft, or destruction of a licensed firearm be reported to the nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station?

• AWithin 12 hours
• BWithin 24 hours
• CWithin 48 hours
• DWithin 7 days

What is the validity period of a license to possess a handgun for self-defence (Section 13) in South Africa?

• A2 years
• B5 years
• C10 years
• DLifetime

What is the validity period of a license to possess a handgun for occasional sport-shooting (Section 15)?

• A2 years
• B5 years
• C10 years
• D15 years

How many days before the expiry date of a firearm license must the holder apply for renewal at the SAPS?

• AAt least 30 days before expiry
• BAt least 60 days before expiry
• CAt least 90 days before expiry
• DAt least 180 days before expiry

What is the maximum quantity of ammunition that a standard license holder (non-dedicated status) may possess for each licensed firearm?

• A50 rounds
• B100 rounds
• C200 rounds
• DThere is no limit

Under what condition may a licensed handgun be carried in a public place?

• AIt must be carried in a hand holster held openly in the hand
• BIt must be carried in a holster or similar holder design for that purpose, and completely…
• CIt may only be carried in a locked briefcase or container
• DIt must be carried in a visible tactical chest rig

What is the South African standard (SANS) classification governing firearm safes and strongrooms?

• ASANS 9001
• BSANS 953
• CSANS 10142
• DSANS 14001

A firearm safe weighing less than 300 kg must be secured in which of the following ways?

• APlaced in a secure, hidden wardrobe without bolting
• BBolted to the floor or wall with heavy-duty anchor bolts
• CPermanently welded to a metal table
• DWeighed down with extra steel plates to exceed 300 kg

If a license holder moves to a new residential address, within what period must they notify the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) of the change?

• AWithin 7 days
• BWithin 14 days
• CWithin 30 days
• DWithin 90 days

Which of the following constitutes an offense under Section 120 of the Firearms Control Act regarding discharging a firearm?

• ADischarging a firearm on a registered, approved shooting range
• BDischarging a firearm in a public place or built-up area without reasonable cause
• CDischarging a firearm during a lawful self-defence situation
• DDischarging a firearm to kill a dangerous animal in immediate defense of life

What is the general minimum age requirement to apply for a firearm competency certificate in South Africa?

• A16 years
• B18 years
• C21 years
• D25 years

Who is legally allowed to possess the keys to a compliant firearm safe containing a licensed handgun?

• AOnly the licensed owner of the firearm
• BThe licensed owner and their spouse/partner
• CAny adult member of the household who knows where the safe is
• DThe owner and a designated security company coordinator

Under what condition may you loan your licensed handgun to another person who does not hold a license for that specific firearm?

• AIf they are a close family member and need it for self-defence
• BOnly if they are under your direct, immediate supervision at an approved shooting range
• CIf you write and sign a temporary authorization letter
• DUnder no circumstances whatsoever

What is the maximum number of firearms a citizen may license under Section 13 (possession for self-defence)?

• A1 handgun or shotgun
• B2 handguns
• C4 firearms in total
• DUnlimited

What is the legal status of carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a drug having an narcotic effect?

• AIt is permissible if the firearm remains concealed and in its holster
• BIt is permissible only if you are inside a private establishment or bar
• CIt is a serious criminal offense to handle or carry a firearm in this state
• DIt is only an offense if the blood alcohol level exceeds 0.05%

What is the maximum number of firearms a person may license under Section 15 (occasional hunting and occasional sport-shooting)?

• AMaximum of 2 firearms
• BMaximum of 4 firearms
• CMaximum of 10 firearms
• DUnlimited

When can a person legally store a firearm in a temporary safe installed in a vehicle?

• AOvernight while the vehicle is parked on a public street
• BOnly for temporary transit purposes when it is impossible to carry the firearm on person
• CPermanently, to avoid carrying the firearm into public buildings
• DOnly if the vehicle's alarm system is active and the vehicle is locked

Which body is responsible for processing applications and issuing firearm licenses in South Africa?

• AThe Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA)
• BThe Central Firearms Registry (CFR) of the SAPS
• CThe Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
• DThe South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

What is the legal requirement for a person who inherits a firearm from a deceased estate in South Africa?

• AThey may immediately carry and use the firearm as their own
• BThey must apply for a license, have the firearm deactivated, sell it to a dealer, or surr…
• CThey may keep the firearm without a license if it belongs to a relative
• DThey must immediately destroy the firearm themselves

What is the absolute golden rule of firearm safety?

• AAlways keep the safety catch engaged
• BTreat every firearm as if it is loaded at all times
• CClean the firearm after every 50 rounds fired
• DAlways store ammunition in the firearm safe

When is it permissible to point a handgun muzzle at something you do not intend to destroy or shoot?

• AWhen you have verified that the chamber and magazine are empty
• BOnly when showing the firearm to a friend in a private room
• CUnder no circumstances whatsoever
• DIf the firearm's safety catch is switched on

Where should your trigger finger be placed when drawing a handgun, moving, or handling the weapon, before you are ready to shoot?

• AResting lightly on the face of the trigger
• BWrapped around the outside of the trigger guard
• CIndexed straight along the frame or slide of the handgun
• DPlacing pressure on the safety catch lever

What does it mean to be certain of your target and what lies beyond it?

• AEnsuring you can see the target center-mass without wearing glasses
• BEnsuring there are no bystanders, structures, or property in the line of fire that could…
• CChecking that the target is of standard paper or steel construction
• DFocusing solely on the target so that background details are blurred out

What is the correct sequence of steps to make a semi-automatic pistol safe?

• APull the trigger, remove the magazine, and lock the slide back
• BRemove the magazine, lock the slide open, and visually/physically inspect the chamber
• CLock the slide open, inspect the chamber, and reinsert the magazine
• DPoint the pistol in a safe direction and pull the trigger twice

What is the correct sequence of steps to make a revolver safe?

• APoint the muzzle up, spin the cylinder, and pull the trigger
• BActivate the cylinder release, swing out the cylinder, extract all cartridges, and visual…
• CPull the hammer back to full cock, spin the cylinder, and release the hammer
• DRemove the cylinder entirely from the frame of the revolver

When handing a handgun to another person, in what state should the firearm be presented?

• ALoaded, with the safety catch switched on
• BHolstered, with a full magazine inserted
• CWith the action open (slide locked back or cylinder swung out) and verified empty
• DIn a closed bag with the ammunition stored in the same pocket

What should you do immediately upon receiving a handgun from another person?

• APut it straight into your pocket or holster
• BPerform a safety check yourself to visually and physically inspect the chamber/cylinders
• CPull the trigger in a safe direction to verify it is empty
• DWipe down the slide and test the safety catch lever

Which of the following is true regarding a handgun's manual safety catch?

• AIt is a foolproof mechanical system that guarantees the gun cannot fire
• BIt is a mechanical device that can fail or wear out, and is never a substitute for safe h…
• CIt automatically engages whenever the gun is pointed in an unsafe direction
• DIt should only be used when storing the gun in a safe

In what condition must a handgun be stored in a home safe under normal legal circumstances?

• AFully loaded with a round in the chamber for quick access
• BWith a loaded magazine inserted but the hammer uncocked
• CCompletely unloaded, with no ammunition in the chamber or magazine
• DDisassembled into its primary component parts

If you pull the trigger of your handgun on a shooting range and the gun does not fire (misfire), what is the first safety action you must take?

• AImmediately turn around to ask the range officer for help
• BKeep the muzzle pointed downrange at the target for at least 30 seconds
• CLook down the muzzle to see if the bullet is visible
• DQuickly rack the slide to eject the faulty round

During live fire, you experience a shot with a very quiet pop and noticeably weak recoil. What should you do?

• AFire another round immediately to push out any stuck bullet
• BStop shooting immediately, unload the gun, and check the barrel for a stuck bullet (squib…
• CRack the slide and continue firing at a faster pace
• DTap the magazine and rack the slide to clear a feeding issue

How should a handgun be safely transported in a private vehicle?

• APlaced loaded inside an unlocked glove compartment
• BLocked inside a SANS-compliant vehicle safe or carried concealed on your person in a hols…
• CPlaced under the driver's seat loose for quick access
• DWrapped in a cloth in the passenger door pocket

What does the command 'Cease Fire' mean on a shooting range?

• AHurry up and fire your remaining rounds before stopping
• BPack your firearms into your range bag immediately
• CStop shooting immediately, keep muzzle downrange, finger off the trigger, safety on, and…
• DStep back from the firing line while holding your loaded handgun

What is the safest way to inspect the barrel of a handgun for dirt or obstructions?

• AHold the gun up to the light and look down the muzzle
• BEnsure the gun is completely unloaded, lock the slide/cylinder open, and look through the…
• CSlide a wooden pencil down the muzzle while the magazine is loaded
• DFire a blank cartridge to blow out any dirt

Which of the following is a critical safety rule when cleaning a handgun?

• APerform a function test with live ammunition in the chamber
• BRemove all live ammunition from the room or cleaning area before starting
• CKeep the magazine loaded in the handgun during cleaning to keep it balanced
• DClean the handgun while it is holstered

How should ammunition be stored in relation to the handgun in a home environment?

• AIn a separate locked container or a separate locked compartment in the safe
• BLoaded in the handgun's chamber inside the safe
• CIn an unlocked drawer next to the firearm safe
• DStored in the kitchen or pantry for dry conditions

Why is it dangerous to let your support hand fingers cross in front of the handgun's muzzle or near the slide's ejection port while firing?

• AIt blocks the shooter's line of sight to the target
• BHigh-pressure escaping gases and the fast-moving slide can cause severe burns, cuts, or f…
• CIt prevents the gun's safety catch from functioning correctly
• DIt will damage the finish on the slide

What is 'slide bite' and how do you prevent it?

• AThe slide failing to lock back; prevent by cleaning the magazine catch
• BThe moving slide cutting the webbing of the shooter's hand due to an excessively high gri…
• CThe slide jam on a cartridge; prevent by using higher velocity ammunition
• DThe recoil pushing the slide into the shooter's face; prevent by holding the gun further…

Why are safety glasses and hearing protection mandatory on a hearing range?

• ATo shield the shooter from wind and dust
• BTo prevent permanent hearing damage from high-decibel muzzle blasts and protect the eyes…
• CTo help the shooter focus by blocking out range lights and conversations
• DTo comply with SABS cosmetic regulations for sporting attire

What is the primary mechanical difference in ammunition feeding between a semi-automatic pistol and a standard revolver?

• AA semi-automatic pistol feeds cartridges from a removable magazine; a revolver feeds from…
• BA semi-automatic pistol feeds from a belt link; a revolver feeds from a magazine
• CA semi-automatic pistol requires manual shell ejection; a revolver automatically ejects s…
• DA revolver feeds from a stripper clip; a semi-automatic feeds from a revolving magazine c…

What is the purpose of spiral grooves (rifling) cut into the bore of a handgun's barrel?

• ATo slow the bullet down to legally compliant velocities
• BTo spin the bullet along its longitudinal axis, stabilizing it in flight for accuracy
• CTo allow high-pressure gases to escape ahead of the bullet
• DTo trace markings back to the specific factory of manufacture

What is a 'stovepipe' malfunction in a semi-automatic pistol?

• AThe firing pin gets stuck forward in the breech face
• BA spent casing fails to clear the ejection port and is caught vertically between the slid…
• CThe magazine catch fails, dropping the magazine from the grip during firing
• DThe barrel splits along the seam due to excessive powder pressure

Which of the following describes a double-action trigger mechanism?

• AIt fires two rounds in rapid succession with a single pull of the trigger
• BThe trigger pull performs two functions: cocking the hammer/striker and releasing it to f…
• CThe trigger requires two distinct pulls to fire one round
• DIt allows the firearm to operate in both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes

What is the function of the feed ramp in a semi-automatic handgun?

• AIt guides empty casings out of the ejection port
• BIt acts as a sloped guide to chamber a cartridge from the magazine smoothly
• CIt prevents the slide from closing when the magazine is empty
• DIt redirects escaping muzzle gas upward to reduce recoil

What is the primary function of the extractor claw in a semi-automatic handgun?

• AIt guides the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber
• BIt hooks onto the rim of the cartridge casing to pull it out of the chamber as the slide…
• CIt pushes the magazine upward into the frame
• DIt strikes the primer of the cartridge to ignite the powder

What is the primary function of the ejector in a semi-automatic handgun?

• AIt holds the slide back when the magazine is empty
• BIt strikes the cartridge casing, pivoting it out of the ejection port as the slide retrea…
• CIt releases the hammer when the trigger is squeezed
• DIt pushes the next live cartridge up into the chamber path

What is the primary difference between a striker-fired handgun and a hammer-fired handgun?

• AStriker-fired handguns do not use a firing pin to detonate cartridges
• BStriker-fired uses an internal spring-cocked bar to strike the primer; hammer-fired uses…
• CHammer-fired handguns have no manual safety catch options
• DStriker-fired handguns only fire rimfire ammunition