***ping***
I looked it up myself. Apparently the weapons of the Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns are unloaded. This is supposedly as a mark of respect, and has been, I believe the policy since the beginning.
FWIW, the practice of issuing live ammo only for specific reasons goes way back in the military, as in centuries.
Might be time to reexamine it.
The Washington Navy Yard shooting...Soldiers at the yard were not allowed to carry guns.
I heard on Right-Wing Hate Radio (don’t remember which show) that the guards at Arlington are not armed.
I hope this changes, immediately.
If the military would not distribute ammunition to the marines guarding the Marine Corp barracks in Beiruit, they sure wouldn’t issue it to a marine guarding a monument.
I would not be surprised if the rifle also had the firing pin removed, to make it unable to fire even if he happened to have ammo in his pocket.
On a day to day basis, there is no larger group of unarmed people you will find, than military personnel on a U.S. installation. For every 1,000 personnel, there might be 1 that is armed.
Empty guns are dangerous and foolish.
Not only am I certain that the guns are not loaded, I’m fairly certain that the guns are also demilled, meaning they aren’t really guns at all, but just decorative accessories to the uniform.
The only time that I’ve seen ceremonial guards that I felt were truly armed was when I visited the crown jewels in 1986. Those Tommies had assault rifles with bayonets mounted with extra ammo mags, and when child ran under the ropes, the guard stamped down on the pavers so hard that the child made a 180 and fled. Although an argument could be made the the Royal Horse could always make use of their swords and lances.
Thank you for this thread and for your hard work. FRegards ...
They are unarmed and it would be terrible if a gun went off during inspection.