When should a firearm be unloaded?

The situation requires firearms to be unloaded before cleaning, handing to someone, and dry firing because these actions can involve handling the firearm in ways that increase the risk of accidental discharge. When cleaning a firearm, all ammunition should be removed to prevent any potential discharge caused by residual rounds in the chamber or magazine.

Handing a firearm to someone else necessitates that it is unloaded to ensure the safety of the receiving individual, as they may not be aware of the firearm's status. Additionally, dry firing, which is practice without ammunition to focus on trigger control and sight alignment, should always be done with an unloaded firearm to maintain safety and mitigate the risk of an unintended discharge.

Each of these scenarios emphasizes the importance of ensuring a firearm is unloaded as a fundamental safety practice to prevent accidents, demonstrating why this choice is not only correct but critical for safe firearm handling.