South Africa Firearm Competency - Shotgun (US 119652) Exam

Under Section 13 of the South African Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000), what is the maximum period of validity for a shotgun license issued for the purpose of self-defence?

• A2 years
• B5 years
• C10 years
• D3 years

For how long is a license to possess a shotgun for occasional hunting or sports shooting (Section 15) valid under the Firearms Control Act?

• A5 years
• B10 years
• C2 years
• DLifetime

What is the maximum validity period for a license to possess a shotgun for dedicated hunting or sports shooting under Section 16 of the FCA?

• A10 years
• B5 years
• CLifetime
• D20 years

What is the standard minimum age required for an applicant to obtain a competency certificate under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000?

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

Which of the following standards must a home firearm safe comply with in South Africa to meet legal storage requirements?

• ASABS 953-1
• BSABS 1400
• CISO 9001
• DSABS 9002

Who is legally allowed to possess the keys or know the combination to a licensed firearm safe in South Africa?

• AOnly the license holder
• BThe license holder and their spouse
• CAny adult resident of the household
• DThe license holder and any immediate family members over 18

What is the maximum amount of ammunition a license holder may possess for a single licensed shotgun if they do NOT hold dedicated hunter or sports shooter status?

• A50 rounds
• B100 rounds
• C200 rounds
• DUnlimited

How must a shotgun be transported in a public area or in a vehicle under the Firearms Control Act?

• AFully loaded on the passenger seat for easy access
• BUnloaded, in a completely enclosed gun bag or case, and out of public view
• CDisassembled into separate components with no bag required
• DCarried openly in the hand as long as the safety catch is engaged

Within what timeframe must a license holder report a lost or stolen firearm to the nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station?

• A12 hours
• B24 hours
• C48 hours
• D7 days

Within how many days must a license holder notify the Registrar of any change in their physical address?

• A7 days
• B14 days
• C30 days
• D60 days

Under what condition may you permit another person to use your licensed shotgun at a shooting range?

• AOnly if they are under your direct and immediate supervision
• BIf they assure you they know how to shoot
• COnly if they are a family member
• DNo one else is ever permitted to shoot your licensed firearm under any circumstances

What is the maximum prison sentence that can be imposed for handling or carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in South Africa?

• A6 months
• B1 year
• C5 years
• D10 years

At least how many days before the expiry date of a firearm license must the holder apply for its renewal?

• A30 days
• B60 days
• C90 days
• D180 days

What is legally required to purchase shotgun cartridges from a registered South African gun dealer?

• AA valid South African ID document only
• BA valid firearm license for a shotgun of the same gauge as the ammunition being purchased
• CA shooting range membership card
• DA verbal confirmation that you own a shotgun

Which type of shotgun is classified as a prohibited firearm under Section 4 of the Firearms Control Act?

• APump-action shotgun
• BFully automatic shotgun
• CBreak-neck double-barrel shotgun
• DSemi-automatic shotgun with a 5-round capacity

For a person who only holds occasional hunter or sports shooter status (Section 15), what is the maximum number of firearm licenses they may hold in total?

• A1 license
• B4 licenses
• C10 licenses
• DUnlimited

If an unlicensed firearm is found in a residential home, who does the Firearms Control Act presume to be in possession of that firearm?

• ANo one, until fingerprinted
• BThe owner or occupier of the premises
• CThe youngest adult member of the household
• DAny visitors present at the time

If a police officer requests to see your firearm license, what is the legal requirement for producing it?

• AYou must produce it immediately if you are carrying the firearm at the time, or within 7…
• BYou have up to 30 days to mail a copy to the Registrar
• COnly a court order can compel you to show your license
• DYou do not need to show the physical card as long as you memorize the license number

Which of the following acts is classified as a criminal offense under Section 120 of the Firearms Control Act?

• APointing a firearm (whether loaded or unloaded) at another person without good reason
• BCleaning a shotgun in your backyard
• CBuying replacement cleaning patches
• DLocking your safe keys in a separate digital lockbox

Is it legal to carry a licensed shotgun openly in a public street in South Africa?

• AYes, as long as it is unloaded
• BYes, if you are walking to a gunsmith
• CNo, it must be carried completely enclosed in a gun bag or case and out of public view
• DYes, provided the safety catch is visibly engaged

What is the primary golden rule of firearm safety that must be applied at all times?

• ATreat every firearm as loaded
• BKeep the firearm clean and oiled
• CStore the safety catch in the off position
• DAlways keep the hammer cocked

When carrying a shotgun, what is the definition of a 'safe direction' for pointing the muzzle?

• ADirectly at the ground near your feet
• BTowards a direction where an accidental discharge will not cause injury or property damage
• CDirectly straight up into the air under all circumstances
• DTowards the nearest concrete wall, regardless of who is behind it

Where should your trigger finger be positioned while carrying or mounting a shotgun, up until the moment your sights are on target and you have decided to shoot?

• AResting lightly on the trigger
• BIndexed straight along the frame or receiver, outside the trigger guard
• CInside the trigger guard but behind the trigger
• DHolding the safety catch in the off position

What is the critical safety consideration regarding your target before pulling the trigger of a shotgun?

• AYou must identify the target clearly and know what lies directly behind and around it
• BYou only need to ensure the target is within the maximum range of your shot
• CYou must verify if the target is metallic to avoid lead splash
• DYou must ensure the target is completely stationary

What is the first action you should take immediately upon being handed a shotgun by another person?

• APoint it at the ground and pull the trigger to test the hammer
• BClose the action immediately to prevent dirt from entering
• CPoint it in a safe direction and perform a physical and visual inspection to verify it is…
• DCheck the safety catch and wipe down the stock

What is the correct procedure when handing a shotgun to another person?

• AHand it over loaded with the safety catch engaged
• BPoint it in a safe direction, open the action, verify it is completely unloaded, and hand…
• CHand it over closed, barrel first
• DToss it carefully onto a table in front of them

What should you do immediately if you suspect a blockage (such as mud or a stuck wad) inside your shotgun barrel?

• AFire another round to clear the obstruction under pressure
• BPoint the shotgun in a safe direction, completely unload it, open the action, and inspect…
• CLook down the muzzle from the front while pulling the trigger
• DPour oil down the barrel and continue shooting

Why should you never rely solely on a shotgun's mechanical safety catch to prevent accidental discharge?

• ASafety catches are outlawed under South African hunting regulations
• BThe safety catch is a mechanical device that can wear out, break, or fail, and is not a s…
• CUsing the safety catch slows down the velocity of the pellets
• DThe safety catch only works when the firearm is completely unloaded

Which of the following describes the correct order of steps to make a pump-action shotgun completely safe and clear?

• APull the trigger, open the safety, and store it in the cabinet
• BRemove all shells from the magazine tube, cycle the action repeatedly to eject any chambe…
• CClose the action, turn the safety catch to 'on', and place it in a gun bag
• DCycle the slide once, verify the safety is on, and assume it is clear

What is a 'squib load' and what must you do immediately if you experience one while shooting a shotgun?

• AA cartridge that generates extremely high recoil; you must adjust your shoulder grip
• BA round that fires with a unusually soft report or weak recoil, indicating the projectile…
• CA double-loaded cartridge that fires twice; you must inspect the trigger group
• DA round that fails to fire at all; you must cycle the pump slide immediately

What does the safety term 'muzzle sweeping' refer to, and why is it dangerous?

• ACleaning the inside of the barrel with a bore brush
• BAccidentally pointing the muzzle of a firearm across any part of another person's body
• CSweeping the ground with the barrel to clear leaves at the range
• DAligning the barrel rib with a moving target

What is the correct safety protocol when a 'Cease Fire' command is called at a shooting range?

• AQuickly fire any remaining chambered rounds, then put the gun down
• BImmediately stop shooting, point the muzzle in a safe direction downrange, unload the sho…
• CApply the safety catch and wait for the target to move before shooting again
• DHold the shotgun in a high-ready position and walk downrange to check targets

Where should shotgun ammunition be stored in a home environment relative to the licensed SABS safe containing the shotgun?

• AIn the same safe, loaded inside the shotgun
• BStored separately in a secure locked location or separate compartment, away from the fire…
• CUnder the mattress or on a high shelf in the living room
• DIn a plastic container next to the front door

What is the correct immediate action if a shotgun cartridge fails to fire when the trigger is pulled (a misfire or dud)?

• ACycle the action immediately to eject the round
• BKeep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction downrange, wait at least 30 seconds to guard…
• CTap the side of the receiver with a hammer to reset the firing pin
• DLook down the barrel from the front to see if the primer was struck

If you trip or stumble while carrying a shotgun in the field, what is your primary physical concern regarding the firearm?

• AEnsuring the shotgun does not touch any mud or dirt
• BControlling the direction of the muzzle so that it remains pointed in a safe direction aw…
• CCatching yourself with the barrel to break your fall
• DThrowing the shotgun away from you as far as possible

What is the safety rule regarding ammunition when you are cleaning your shotgun?

• AKeep the magazine loaded so the spring stays compressed
• BEnsure all ammunition is removed from the cleaning area and stored securely in a separate…
• CWipe the cartridges with solvent to keep them clean
• DKeep a loaded cartridge in the chamber to verify action alignment

What is the correct procedure for crossing a fence or ditch while carrying a shotgun in the field when shooting alone?

• AUnload the shotgun, open the action, place it on the ground under the fence with the muzz…
• BClimb the fence holding the loaded shotgun under your arm
• CThrow the shotgun over the fence, then climb over
• DSlide the shotgun through the fence barrel-first while crawling

Why is it highly dangerous to load a 3-inch shotgun cartridge into a shotgun chamber stamped as 2.75 inches (70mm)?

• AThe cartridge will slide all the way out of the barrel before firing
• BThe shell will physically fit and can be fired, but the crimp will unfold into the barrel…
• CThe firing pin will not be long enough to reach the primer
• DThe pellets will weld together in the barrel and turn into a solid slug

In a standard pump-action shotgun, how are cartridges moved from the tubular magazine into the barrel chamber?

• ABy gas pressure pushing the bolt back automatically
• BBy manually sliding the fore-end backward to extract and eject, and forward to chamber a…
• CBy gravity when pointing the barrel upward
• DBy a spring-actuated rotary cylinder

What is the purpose of the action release button (slide lock release) on a pump-action shotgun?

• AIt acts as a secondary trigger for firing slugs
• BIt permits the slide to be operated to open the action without releasing the hammer or fi…
• CIt adjusts the choke constriction at the muzzle
• DIt releases the magazine tube from the receiver for cleaning

Which of the following defines a break-open action shotgun?

• AA shotgun that uses gas porting to load cartridges
• BA shotgun where the barrel pivots on a hinge pin, swinging downward to expose the chamber…
• CA shotgun that is designed to break into pieces under high pressure
• DA shotgun that utilizes a sliding bolt operated by a side handle

How does a semi-automatic shotgun operate during firing?

• AIt requires the shooter to pump the fore-end slide back and forth for every shot
• BIt uses recoil forces or expanding powder gases to automatically eject the empty hull and…
• CIt fires all cartridges in the magazine in a single continuous burst
• DIt rotates a cylinder containing multiple chambers manually

What is the historical and physical definition of a shotgun's 'gauge' (e.g., 12-gauge)?

• AThe length of the barrel in inches
• BThe number of pure lead balls of that barrel's diameter that equal one pound in weight
• CThe speed of the shot in hundreds of feet per second
• DThe weight of the shotgun receiver in ounces

Why is a 20-gauge shotgun barrel physically smaller in diameter than a 12-gauge shotgun barrel?

• ABecause 20 is a larger number, meaning the barrels are longer and narrower
• BBecause it takes more lead balls (20 instead of 12) of that smaller diameter to equal one…
• CBecause 20-gauge steel is compressed under higher temperature
• DBecause a 20-gauge is designed only for children's target shooting

What are the five standard components of a modern shotgun cartridge?

• ACase (hull), primer, powder charge, wad, and shot/slug
• BBrass case, primer, bullet, lubricated wax, and gas check
• CShell, copper jacket, lead core, anvil, and battery cup
• DCrimp, firing pin, striker, safety link, and primer cap

What is the primary function of the 'wad' in a shotgun cartridge?

• ATo ignite the gunpowder when struck by the firing pin
• BTo seal expanding gases behind the shot, cushion the pellets from deformation, and protec…
• CTo make the cartridge waterproof during storage
• DTo increase the weight of the projectile for better penetration

What is the function of a 'choke' in a shotgun barrel?

• AIt is a gas relief system that reduces muzzle flash
• BIt is a partial constriction at the muzzle end of the barrel that controls the spread and…
• CIt holds the shell casing in the chamber during firing
• DIt is the mechanical safety selector switch near the trigger

Which of the following options correctly compares a 'Full Choke' to a 'Cylinder Choke'?

• AA Full Choke has maximum constriction producing a tight pellet pattern for long-range tar…
• BA Full Choke is only used for solid slugs; a Cylinder Choke is only for birdshot
• CA Cylinder Choke is longer than a Full Choke by 2 inches
• DA Full Choke is designed to reduce recoil; a Cylinder Choke increases pellet speed