Guard weapons in D.C. reviewed
Army chief: Troops might carry firearms
WASHINGTON — Defense leaders are reviewing restrictions on the use of force by National Guard members and could allow troops to carry batons or guns in Washington, D.C., as they brace for more protests and possible violence around the Jan. 20 inauguration, The Associated Press has learned.
Army Secretary Ryan Mccarthy told The AP on Friday that any changes will be determined by the intelligence gathered in the coming days about potential threats. But he said they are looking at allowing troops to carry their M-4 rifles or 9 mm Berettas, and he will know more in a day or two.
The review reflects concerns about the safety of the Guard troops in the wake of the deadly riots Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.
Allowing troops to carry deadly weapons would run up against deep-seated fears about the optics of anything suggesting that U.S. military forces were being used against Americans on U.S. soil.
And it would require the permission of various authorities, depending on where the Guard members were stationed. D.C. city officials would have to agree for the Guard to carry weapons within the city’s jurisdictions. Federal approvals would be needed for locations on federal land, parks, monuments and places such
as Capitol Hill.
“We’ll be looking at the intelligence and make a determination over the next day or so,” Mccarthy said. “It’s just going to require us to get better intel, and then we’ll have to make a risk assessment.”
Mccarthy complained earlier this week that the intelligence on the potential crowd size Wednesday was “all over the board” — from about 2,000 to 80,000. He said Friday that there are new plans to have more frequent
meetings with law enforcement to go over the intelligence reports.
He added that he has allowed one change. As of Thursday evening, he said Guard members in D.C. are being allowed to wear ballistic helmets.
That decision comes amid news that a U.S. Capitol Police officer died because of injuries he suffered during the riot. Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, two law enforcement officials said.