Firearm Operation and Safe Handling

SAFE HANDLING DEMONSTRATION

Pursuant to Penal Code sections 26850 and 26860, prior to taking delivery of a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer in California, an individual must correctly perform a safe handling demonstration with the firearm he or she is acquiring. The safe handling demonstration must be performed in the presence of a DOJ Certified Instructor on or after the date the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) is submitted to the DOJ and before the firearm is delivered. This section lists each of the steps that constitute the statutorily mandated safe handling demonstrations for the most common handgun types (semiautomatic pistols, double-action revolvers and single-action revolvers). This section also includes safe handling demonstration steps for most long gun types. However, this information will not appear on the DOJ written test on firearm safety. Please note that a dummy round as stated in this guide refers to one bright orange, red or other readily identifiable dummy round. If no readily identifiable dummy round is available, an empty cartridge casing with an empty primer pocket may be used.

The safe handling demonstration shall commence with the firearm unloaded and locked with the firearm safety device with which it is required to be delivered, if applicable. While maintaining muzzle awareness (that is, the firearm is pointed in a safe direction, preferably down at the ground) and trigger discipline (that is, the trigger finger is outside of the trigger guard and alongside of the firearm frame) at all times, the firearm recipient shall correctly and safely perform the safe handling demonstration steps for each firearm type.

REVOLVER PARTS AND OPERATION

How a Revolver Works
A revolver has a rotating cylinder containing a number of chambers. There are usually five or six chambers. The action of the trigger or hammer will line up a chamber with the barrel and firing pin. Releasing the cylinder latch allows the cylinder to swing out for loading, unloading and inspection.
Revolvers are either single or double-action. The primary difference between these two types of revolvers is the function of the trigger. On a single-action revolver the trigger has a single function to release the hammer. The trigger on a double- action revolver has two functions to cock the hammer and to release it.