Becsuse gun control zealots think it’s safer that way.
Who do you want them to shoot?
Because they have made other plans for the off duty soldiers?
Drill rifles are usually unloaded for safety purposes. Its been that way a long time. It really doesn’t mean someone doesn’t trust them, its just to keep people from having firearms accidents.
For Display Purposes Only.
It would be kinda embarrassing if the thing went off during the Sgt of the Guard’s inspection.
Because we learned so much from the USS Cole incident.
They should be given live ammo.
Situation has changed.
Sometimes drill rifles don’t even have firing pins. They get dropped so much in practice, they may be a little worn out anyway.
Because they treat the rifles as if they are unloaded.
how would you know they are/aren’t?
Posse comitatus.
My suggestion would be that the rifles would be unloaded but that they have pistols holstered as side arms in case some stupid person required being shot to death.
Common sense means that if you are shouldering arms, a display of strength, you should be able to act appropriately.
Why not? We used to patrol in Beruit with unloaded weapons (why I left the service).
Look up the guard and see what these guys do when someone is talking and disrespectful. I think some of those boys are anxious to make use of that bayonet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jgMzJ_U5VY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsdHxUXf2CE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR7FBIKOlyg
Because they would be too tempted to shoot the idiots that fail to show the proper respect at the Tomb????
because they are armed with harsh language, maybe?
Those are ceremonial guards at the Tomb.
Park Police are responsible for security at Arlington Cemetery and they are armed.
Why were no soldiers carrying loaded firearms at the Washington Navy Yard shooting where twelve people were killed just a year ago . . . because our idiot government thinks that trained soldiers cannot be trusted with firearms at work.
Most American military posted yards have unloaded weapons.
My understanding, based on a conversation from years ago with a member of the Old Guard (3rd Infantry Regiment, from which the Sentinels at the Tomb are drawn) is that there are ready weapons and ammo, plus additional Sentinels, located at all times in the staging area within the Amphitheater behind the Tomb.