What must be ensured about weapons when not oriented towards the target area?

The correct answer emphasizes the critical safety protocol in handling weapons when they are not aimed at the target area. Ensuring that weapons are one switch position away from firing represents a fundamental safety practice designed to prevent accidents. This means that the weapon is close to being ready to fire, but not in a state where it can discharge accidentally if mishandled.

By keeping the weapon in this status, operators can quickly and safely respond to a need to fire if the situation arises, while still maintaining a high level of safety during handling and transportation. This precaution helps to ensure that firearms are not in a fully operational state, mitigating the risk of unintended discharges.

Other options provided may concern weapon handling practices, like maintenance and ensuring weapons are unloaded, but they do not directly address the immediate safety concern of having a firearm idle in a potentially dangerous orientation.