In the half-cock position of a hammer safety, what state is the firearm in?

In the half-cock position of a hammer safety, the firearm is in a locked and unable to fire state. This means that the hammer is not fully cocked, and the mechanism is designed to prevent the firearm from discharging a round even if the trigger is pulled. The half-cock position serves as an additional safety feature, providing a safeguard against accidental discharge, which can happen if the hammer is inadvertently dropped or jarred.

Firearms with a half-cock feature typically have a specific design that allows the hammer to be positioned in this state while still enabling the user to fully cock the hammer later if desired for firing. This design is critical for ensuring safety during handling, as it minimizes the risk of unintentional firing.

In contrast, the other options describe states that do not accurately align with the half-cock position. For example, being ready to fire implies that the firearm is fully cocked and ready for immediate use, while being inoperable suggests a complete failure of the firearm to function, which is not the case in the half-cock position. Engaged for cleaning typically refers to a state where a firearm is rendered safe and disassembled for maintenance, rather than being secured in a half-cock position for safety.