Are the rifles of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier loaded?

Answer 1

The rifles currently used by the Honor Guard are M14 rifles. They are fully functional and ready for use, but they are carried unloaded without a magazine inserted.

First, during rifle inspection and handling of the gun there is a danger of an unintentional round being fired. Second, there would rarely be a reason for the use of deadly force. Even if there were a reason, with all the people around there it would be hard to fire a "responsible" shot with the bullet hitting and stopping your intended target and no one else.

That said, inserting a magazine and charging the M14 is a matter of seconds. The Guard, while ceremonial, is the real deal.

There are many rumors surrounding the Tomb Guards, and one is that if you invade the Tomb area you will be shot. This is not true, and if that happened the Guard would be criminally liable. No one will be killed, assaulted, or knifed with the bayonet for the reason of intruding on the Tomb. Regardless of what one may think of the military- they do understand perhaps more than anyone, the concept of the use of deadly force and when it is warranted. A disturber may get arrested at the Tomb, but not killed for such offenses.

To those who may dispute the guns are not loaded- go see the Changing of the Guard or see a video of it. When the inspecting officer approaches the oncoming Guard, the first move the Guard makes is to open the action of the rifle, and peer down into it, just before the inspecting officer snatches it away from him. The purpose of this move is to ensure that the Guard is NOT about to hand over a LOADED firearm to the officer. At no time thereafter is a magazine inserted into the rifle, nor a round inserted at all.

Answer 2

It is an M1 Garrand with bayonet mounted. The M1 Garrand was the first semi-auto fired infantry assault weapon authorized for issue to all branches of the military in the US. Gen. George Patton said it was the finest weapon system ever developed for war.

Answer 3

United States Rifle, 7.62mm, M14

Answer 4

No