A firearm is considered unloaded if any propellant, projectile or cartridge which can be discharged from the firearm is NOT contained in the breech-block or firing chamber, nor in the cartridge, magazine or cylinder attached to or inserted into the firearm. What is the missing word?

A firearm is considered unloaded if any propellant, projectile or cartridge which can be discharged from the firearm is NOT contained in the breech-block or firing chamber, nor in the cartridge, magazine or cylinder attached to or inserted into the firearm. What is the missing word?

• A. Loaded
• B. Unloaded
• C. Inoperable
• D. Disabled

Answer: (B)

Unloaded is the correct term. It means there’s no propellant, projectile, or cartridge that could be discharged from the firearm present in the critical places: the breech block or firing chamber, and also not in the magazine, cartridge, or cylinder attached to or inserted into the firearm. When none of those components exist in those locations, the firearm cannot discharge anything, so it is considered unloaded. The other words describe the weapon’s mechanical status (whether it can function) rather than the ammo status; for example, loaded would imply ammunition could be fired, while inoperable or disabled refer to the gun’s ability to operate, not whether ammunition is present.

Unloaded is the correct term. It means there’s no propellant, projectile, or cartridge that could be discharged from the firearm present in the critical places: the breech block or firing chamber, and also not in the magazine, cartridge, or cylinder attached to or inserted into the firearm. When none of those components exist in those locations, the firearm cannot discharge anything, so it is considered unloaded. The other words describe the weapon’s mechanical status (whether it can function) rather than the ammo status; for example, loaded would imply ammunition could be fired, while inoperable or disabled refer to the gun’s ability to operate, not whether ammunition is present.