What order should be given before discharging a firearm (when feasible)?

• A. "FIRE NOW"
• B. "GO AHEAD" or "FIRE NOW"
• C. "MOVE AWAY" or "TAKE COVER"
• D. "HALT or STOP" or "DROP THE WEAPON."

Answer: (D)

Before discharging a firearm, issue a clear, unambiguous command to halt or stop and, if possible, to drop the weapon. This approach provides a warning and a chance for the subject to comply, which can de-escalate the situation and reduce risk to bystanders. Saying HALT or STOP communicates that the action must cease, and DROP THE WEAPON directly signals disarming the threat. This combination aligns with safety and engagement protocols: you seek to neutralize the threat with minimal force and avoid unnecessary harm.

In contrast, telling someone to fire is unsafe and inappropriate, and instructions to move away or take cover don’t address stopping the threat or dearming, so they don’t achieve the same protective outcome before a discharge. If a warning can be given safely, it should be; if not feasible due to immediacy of danger, the priority remains controlling the threat with appropriate force.