Which statement is true regarding the safety of M249?

The statement that the safety of the M249 should be in the "Safe" position at all times when the weapon is not in use is fundamentally important for ensuring operator safety. In the context of firearms, the safety mechanism is designed to prevent accidental discharges, thereby protecting the user and those around them. Keeping the weapon in the "Safe" position when not actively firing is a critical practice that reinforces the discipline of firearm handling.

This particular safety measure emphasizes the importance of always treating a firearm as if it is loaded and ready to fire, even when it is not. In real-world scenarios, distractions or lack of vigilance can lead to dangerous situations if the safety is not properly engaged when the weapon is not in use.

In contrast, the other statements present practices that are either unsafe or insufficiently responsible. For example, examining the safety only during maintenance prevents a soldier from being aware of the weapon's status during active use. Similarly, disregarding the safety while firing introduces unnecessary risk and undermines the fundamental principles of safe weapon handling. As for ensuring the safety is in the "Fire" position while clearing the weapon, this contradicts standard operating procedures, which dictate that the safety must remain engaged until ready to fire to prevent any accidental discharge during the