The FAMAS was engineered with reliability and shooter safety in mind. It will not fire with the chamber open. It will also withstand 300 rounds fired in 2 minutes without heating enough to induce ammunition 'cook-offs. The safety is housed within the handguard, allowing the user to engage or disengage it while maintaining a clear picture. France chose the 5.56mm caliber in 1970. By the same time. But the final result linked to politic and economic reasons lead to the development of a national weapon.