During a malfunction, who is responsible for addressing the issue?

• A. The instructor
• B. The officer using the firearm
• C. The range safety officer
• D. The bystander

Answer: (B)

The shooter who is in control of the firearm is responsible for addressing a malfunction. When something goes wrong, the person handling the weapon must take immediate, safe action to clear the issue using the prescribed remedial steps and keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction with proper trigger discipline. If the malfunction cannot be cleared safely, the shooter should stop, secure the firearm, and alert the Range Safety Officer or instructor for assistance. The Range Safety Officer oversees safety on the range, but the initial responsibility to handle the malfunction lies with the person using the firearm. Bystanders do not have a duty to intervene with the weapon.