Chapter 2: Firearms and Children

A summary of this chapter of the California FSC study guide, with sample test questions and answers.

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What Chapter 2 covers

Chapter 2 is about keeping firearms away from children. California treats this as a legal duty, not just good advice. A firearm owner has to take every reasonable step to stop a child getting access to a firearm. If a child under 18 gets hold of a firearm kept on premises you control, and it leads to injury or death, or the child carries it into a public place, you can face misdemeanor or felony charges.

The guide stresses a few facts that come up on the test:

  • Toddlers can fire a gun. A child's thumb has about twice the strength of the other fingers, and when a toddler pushes a trigger with their thumb, the muzzle almost always points at their own face.
  • The duty applies even without children at home. A visiting grandchild, niece, nephew or neighbor's child creates the same risk. There's no such thing as being too careful.
  • Storage is the main control. In a home where children are likely to be present, store every firearm unloaded and secured, with ammunition stored separately.

The chapter also covers teaching and example. Children are naturally curious about things they think are forbidden, so answering their questions honestly takes away the mystery. They need to understand how real firearms differ from toys and from what they see on screen, and that a real firearm can kill. Adults teach most by what they do: "do as I say, not as I do" is called irresponsible and dangerous. The guide notes that teenagers are at a vulnerable stage and may not be protected by warnings alone.

Finally, the test expects you to know the four rules for a child who finds a firearm, in order: Stop. Don't touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult. Many questions test the "don't touch" step. A child may think the helpful thing is to pick the gun up and bring it to an adult, and the guide says a child should never touch a firearm they find. Leaving the area also means not trying to take a firearm away from another child.

Chapter 2 practice questions

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1. Whose responsibility is it to make sure a child cannot gain access to firearms?

  1. A The child's parents only
  2. B Local law enforcement's
  3. C The firearms dealer's
  4. D The firearm owner's — and it is mandated by California law
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D. The firearm owner's — and it is mandated by California law

It is a firearm owner's responsibility to take all possible steps to make sure a child cannot gain access to firearms. This responsibility is mandated by California law. Study guide p. 7

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Other chapters

  1. Chapter 1: Firearm Safety Rules
  2. Chapter 2: Firearms and Children
  3. Chapter 3: Firearm Operation and Safe Handling
  4. Chapter 4: Firearm Ownership
  5. Chapter 5: Prohibited Transfers and Straw Purchases
  6. Chapter 6: Firearms Laws

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Practice tool only — not affiliated with the California DOJ. Question content is derived from the publicly published DOJ Firearm Safety Certificate Study Guide (2025).