Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What should be done if a round is chambered but the firearm does not fire?

1. Attempt to fire again immediately

2. Unload the firearm and start over

3. Perform the immediate action drill

4. Inspect the firearm for visible damage

The correct answer is: Perform the immediate action drill

When a firearm has a round chambered but does not fire, it's essential to perform the immediate action drill. This procedure is crucial because it aims to address the malfunction safely and efficiently. Immediate action drills are designed to quickly resolve issues such as misfires or failure to fire, allowing the shooter to get back into a position to assess the situation and make informed decisions. Executing the immediate action drill typically involves steps such as attempting to re-engage the trigger and cycling the action of the firearm to clear any potential issues. This response minimizes the risk of additional complications, such as failing to address the cause of the misfire, which could lead to more severe safety concerns. In contrast, attempting to fire again immediately could lead to unsafe outcomes, especially if the round has a hangfire or another type of malfunction. Unloading the firearm and starting over may not be necessary if the immediate drill can resolve the issue. Inspecting the firearm for visible damage, while sometimes important, should generally follow the immediate action steps unless there’s a visible problem that prompted the round not to fire. Thus, performing the immediate action drill is the appropriate method to recover from a misfire effectively.