When a firearm is laid down on its side what position does the firearm need to be presented in?

• A. Ejection port up and locked back in an open position to show it is not loaded
• B. Safety on and hammer down
• C. Barrel pointed at the ground
• D. Magazine removed with slide closed

Answer: (A)

Showing the firearm is unloaded is the idea being tested. When you present it, you want observers to clearly be able to see there is no round in the chamber. Do that by locking the slide to the rear and orienting the gun so the ejection port is up, with the chamber visible and empty. This provides a clear, verifiable view of the chamber, which is why it’s the standard safe presentation. Simply having the safety on and hammer down can still leave a loaded chamber in some designs, pointing the barrel at the ground doesn’t reveal the chamber status, and removing the magazine with the slide closed doesn’t allow viewing into the chamber.