Final answer:
True, a pistol must be checked to ensure it is unloaded and the action is open before cleaning to prevent accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, a pistol must first be checked to make sure that it is unloaded and that the action is open before starting to clean it. This is a safety precaution to prevent accidental discharge of the firearm while cleaning. By ensuring that the pistol is unloaded and the action is open, the risk of handling a loaded firearm is minimized.
For example, in the state of California, the law requires that owners of lawfully registered firearms keep them unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock when they are not being used for legal recreational activities or located in a place of business.