I don’t think the ceremonial rifles they carry are operational anyway. Pretty sure they don’t draw weapons and ammunition from the Batallion armorer. Still, it says a lot that it has been noticed now, with this pres—ent, for the first time.
It’s been a lot of years since I was in the military, but when we paraded we just drew our regular weapons.
There was no need for ammo so we got none, but we didn;’t take the bolts out.