They're still carrying live ammo most likely. My understanding is that military security forces patrolling a populated area (non warzone) while carrying live ammo have an escalation of force protocol. Empty mag wells so no incidental shootings or negligent discharges are likely. 1st warning is to load the mags. 2nd warning is to chamber a round. No 3rd chance
I'd bet they aren't allowed anywhere near live ammo. The politicians would be too scared.
In the 70s I was stationed at MCAS El Toro, in California. Nixon would fly in to go to his home in San Clemente. Ever see how they have military formations when the prez or a foreign head of state gets off a plane? That duty was rotated around the units on the base. For 3 months I was on it. When Nixon showed up, hours before we would get dressed up, go the armory draw our weapons, then go to a hanger and be searched, supervised by the secret service, to make sure no one had any ammo.
That makes sense to me for a head of state visit, the military is for show in that scenario and the SS are the only ones with teeth. After Kent State, I wouldn't think the guard would have live ammo either. But I do recall it being reported about them having live ammo around the beginning of January. I'm looking for an article that says live ammo explicitly, but everything I'm finding now just mentions the guard "carrying arms". https://www.stripes.com/news/us/pentagon-authorizes-national-guard-troops-to-carry-firearms-in-dc-1.658346
My coworker is the one who told me about the protocol for carrying live ammo and the rules of engagement. He was doing a similar job in Africa in the 90's as a Ranger and that was the protocol he described. It may be different for the guard, but I would think that's an SOP across the board. I honestly don't have any more personal knowledge than that, so I could be wrong. Honestly who the hell knows what's going on anymore.
Where are these mags stored? The pics that I see show empty mag pouches, or mag pouches filled with other stuff, like a water bottle.
Couldn't say, I'd assume they'd carry them in their mag pouches. I know when all this started, it was reported that they did have live ammo and I haven't heard whether that has changed. The explanation I gave was given to me by a veteran coworker who has done this kind of thing while deployed in Africa in the 90's. Those were/are the rules of engagement for being an armed security force in a civilian non warzone area as far as he is aware. I don't think that has changed since.
I don't know what that downvote is about, I had to balance that out.
I am surprised that the lefties who argue that guns cannot be carried if they are loaded have not used "But the US military does this too!" as an argument.
With all the talk about needing to root out "white supremacists" from the military, and locking them in parking garages + giving them undercooked food spiked with metal shavings, I would be surprised if the Guardsmen in DC were equipped with live ammo.
...and if they are, then why haven't they revolted?
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