Should National Guard Troops In DC Be Issued Live Ammunition?

I have mixed feelings about this.
I feel that the National Guard Troops currently in DC should have been issued basic riot control equipment (shields, batons etc) rather than the M-4s and Beretta 9mms they have now been issued.
Additionally, it's highly possible that these weapons could be snatched from National Guard troops in the event of an especially violent incident and a lost M-4 is far more lethal on the streets than a lost baton.
Finally, I will admit that I don't know if the National Guard troops have or have not been issued live ammunition. I hope that question as well as other facts and opinions will be addressed in the following discussion.

Thanks,

 

Given what they could end up dealing with I’d say they should be issued weapons and ammunition. Ready condition should be condition 4. Chamber empty, empty magazine, hammer down. I’m not a fan of putting our service members in harms way without the means to protect themselves should things go bad.

 

Yes

 

Naturally, the Kent State tragedy comes to mind especially to those old enough to remember it but the M-14s that were issued to the Ohio National Guardsmen was a far more effective club than the lighter M-4.
I am seriously concerned that sending National Guardsmen into a riot with only an empty M-4 is just going to result in several lost / snatched M-4s.

 

I would straightout say, NO, they shouldn't be issued live ammunition! All they would kill would be their fellow Americans!

 

Yes, and as I've posted on another thread, communications should be simple and clear to any and everyone. Attempt to break any barrier you will be shot. End of problem.

 

I don't think they will need to be used. Its a show of power. It's like Trump's position on foreign affairs. We need a strong military so that we don't have to use it. The threat is motivation enough.

 

I can agree to that... clear rules. But in this case it was almost a First and the authorities were more confused than the rioters.
It could have ended up to be a much worse situation with more deaths. Thanks to the gentle rioters it went fairly smooth. It is now, afterwards, being blown up, mostly by Pelosi... she is going ballistic with her desire to do Trump in, hitting him with a double whammy of impeaching him as well as removing him from office.

 

I don't see much point in deploying troops without arming them...

 

So they can shoot a harmless lady veteran in the head??

 

If there isn't anyone there that needs to be shot, deploy the police instead of the military.

 

No. Let the police handle it.

 

That was probably due to the police being overwhelmed by pure numbers and feeling threatened by it.

I don't see veterans who volunteered to protect America from threats foreign and domestic, shooting the very people they are supposed to protect. Especially since no one will be a threat to this military force.

 

I agree. Unfortunately there is little faith in the police. While the blame lies at the feet of the leaders, it doesn't change that fact.

 

Aiui, she was shot by a bodyguard (unknown whether private or official) who's charge was no longer present. Which is a little suspicious...

 

tRUMP wants war, I guess tRUMP gets war.

 

The Nat Guard will be handicapped by precisely the same thing that the police are.

 

Harmless?
A harmless person isn't involved in storming the USA Capitol.

Terrible she got shot, but overrunning armed police is not a wise choice.

 

No, normally they wouldn't.
What should have happened is, the authorities should have stayed in place instead of hiding, and greet the rioters, especially Mrs. Pelosi, the leader, could have greeted the rioters, like "Hi, folks, how can we help you? What is on your mind?"

Unfortunately, these people think they have to be rough and tough, instead of being calm and accommodating. The rioters probably would have been happy to sit down with Pelosi and her colleagues and tell them their grievances and what they felt should be done about the voter fraud etc. They could have come to a first step agreement of what to do the next morning.
One thing has to be made clear to Pelosi... the rioters are not America's enemy, they are disappointed American citizens!! Likewise, Trump is not the enemy either! He only wants the best for the American people, he wants to make America great again!
Why did the Dems constantly have to harass him the past four years? Why? Is it because Hillary Clinton lost and revenge had to be satisfied? It almost looks like that.

 

Absolutely.

 

Poe’s Law.

 

I'm sure, from now on the Capitol will be barricaded like Fort Knox!

 

Common sense.

 

Absolutely not. National Guardsman are not and have never been intended to serve as law enforcement.

They should've be there at all. Tell the police to do their damned jobs.

 

Yes, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.