[willibeaux]

njs... another reason is because the barrels and actions are chrome plated and they shouldn’t be fired. They are ceremonial rifles.

[terycarl]

a real, loaded rifle is far heavier that a rifle designed for parade or display.

[Mark17]

In light of recent attacks in Canada on soldiers, why are the Guards at Tomb of Unknown Soldier still carrying unloaded weapons.

I am SOOOO cynical of the Obungler administration, that I think they want these soldiers killed. It's probably not true, but I wonder if these soldiers will continue to volunteer to be sitting ducks, like the Canadian soldier in Ottawa?

[JudyinCanada]

Sadly, I doubt the fallen soldier would have had a chance to return fire. I believe it came out of nowhere and downed him immediately.

I don’t understand why we take passports from the muslims who want to leave our country to fight with ISIS. I say let them go, don’t let them back in, and we hopefully can bomb them when they get there.

[IronJack]

How do you know they’re unloaded?

[tioga]

Heard a talking head say that the rifle was unloaded as it could accidentally go off and kill an innocent bystander. RME Yeah, that makes sense.

[TurboZamboni]

Changing of the Guard-Complete Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvh9SPOm7MU

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

The Corporal was a reservist from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada out of Hamilton, so it was probably an extreme honour for him to be an honour guard at the Ceneotaph and Tomb of The Unknown. Even if he had a regular rifle, the attack was so unexpected that he may not have been able to react in time. Unfortunately, since there is no such thing as a 'carry permit' in Canada, it was up to the police to put down 'the dog'.

The two honourary guards in this photo in front of the Tomb of The Unknown appear to be RCAF, not Canadian Army, the east side of the East Block of Parliament Hill appears on the left of the photo.

[Jet Jaguar]

Active Duty ping.

[golux]

Because The Guardians of the Tomb of the Unknown don’t need bullets to annihilate evil. One glance - a break from their perfect drill - is enough to fry the mind and soul of a Jihadist and send him to Hell forever.

[Bill McC]

Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown are for ceremonial purposes and their long & honored tradition of guarding the Tomb is stellar. If you watch the Tomb Guard Commander conduct the inspection of their rifle, it’s plain that it is NOT loaded.
The Commander however, carries a loaded sidearm, and there are other Tomb Guard personnel in their very nearby office. It’s safe to assume that other sidearms are available there too, as well as other weapons. Some of the Tomb Guards today are actually Military Policeman - not by design as MOST are Infantry. To facilitate giving women the opportunity to become Tomb Guards, a Military Police unit was attached and under the command of the 3rd Infantry’s Tomb Guard unit as women could not serve in INFANTRY units. That’s changing as today, women ARE going through the Army Basic infantry Course at Ft. Benning.
Someone in another forum suggested that the Tomb Guard would call the US Park Police - NOT LIKELY. The Cemetery is ON Fort Myer and the Military Police from there would be the FIRST responders as they are MUCH CLOSER. The US Park Police, and perhaps Arlington Police would also be likely backup responders.
The Tomb Guard himself while unarmed, WILL most DEFINITELY defend the Tomb. Further it would seem very likely that the Tomb and the Guard’s area are closely monitored by CCTV, so he wouldn’t have to actually “call” for assistance.