What is the correct procedure for transferring a semi-automatic pistol?

The correct procedure for transferring a semi-automatic pistol is to first remove the magazine, then unload the chamber, lock the slide open, and present the firearm grip first with the muzzle pointing to the ground. This method emphasizes safety and ensures that the recipient can clearly see that the firearm is unloaded, minimizing the risk of accidental discharge.

By removing the magazine, it eliminates any rounds that could be chambered if the action were to be racked. Unloading the chamber further ensures there are no live rounds present that could cause harm. Locking the slide open provides a visual confirmation for both the person transferring the firearm and the recipient, allowing both parties to confirm the pistol is clear. Presenting the gun grip first while keeping the muzzle pointed downward ensures that the firearm is pointed away from any person's body, which is an essential practice in firearm safety protocols.

The other options either pertain to different types of firearms or do not encompass the necessary steps to safely transfer a semi-automatic pistol. For instance, opening the cylinder and demonstrating it is unloaded is applicable to revolvers, but not to semi-automatics, which do not have cylinders. Keeping the slide closed and just unloading the magazine does not provide a clear confirmation on whether the chamber is empty