British Guard points bayonet rifle at Man after trying to get into Buckingham Palace - Polidicks

For some reason I thought of this video (Which is being a pain in the ass and won't embed): [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSoJqdPi4Iw[/url]

[QUOTE=Strontboer;44481221]This can't be real :suicide:[/QUOTE] I don't know about people from other countries, but in the US if you spend any time around firearms this is drilled into your head from the first firearm's safety class you take to every time you go to the range. You don't point a firearm at something you aren't prepared to destroy. I'm sure the guard was fully intending to do harm to this person if it came to that, but what Crimor said wasn't dumb. At least, not the post you're quoting.

[QUOTE=Chaoswolf725;44481305]For some reason I thought of this video (Which is being a pain in the ass and won't embed): [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSoJqdPi4Iw[/url][/QUOTE] Remove the S in HTTP and it'll work.

One time, I went to the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington on a field trip. One of my classmates jokingly made a move like he was going to run up to the tomb. The guard pointed his rifle at him and told him "Back away or I will shoot to kill." The student needed to change his pants. (Their rifles aren't actually loaded afaik.) [editline]7th April 2014[/editline] Also this is a friend of a friend story and I didn't actually go, I lied.

[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;44481504](Their rifles aren't actually loaded afaik.)[/QUOTE] They are.

[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;44481504]One time, I went to the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington on a field trip. One of my classmates jokingly made a move like he was going to run up to the tomb. The guard pointed his rifle at him and told him "Back away or I will shoot to kill." The student needed to change his pants. (Their rifles aren't actually loaded afaik.) [editline]7th April 2014[/editline] Also this is a friend of a friend story and I didn't actually go, I lied.[/QUOTE] All their rifles are loaded, why would they even have unloaded rifles, how pointless would it be if they did something absolutely ridiculous as this Where the hell did this myth originate

[QUOTE=Falubii;44478448]Yes smashing your face sounds like a great fall.[/QUOTE] The whole point is that if you fell flat on your face then you are completely wiped out and pushing yourself to the limit. If you didn't, then you were either faking it or you just didn't push yourself and gave up and fell before you actually fainted. [editline]7th April 2014[/editline] There is a lot expected of you when you are supposed to be one of the finest soldiers that your country has to offer. Especially when you are out during a parade that demonstrates how badass you are supposed to be.

[QUOTE=_Maverick_;44481621]All their rifles are loaded, why would they even have unloaded rifles, how pointless would it be if they did something absolutely ridiculous as this Where the hell did this myth originate[/QUOTE] I probably read it on Wikipedia a while back, or heard it from someone who read it. [quote]Tomb Guards currently carry M14 rifles, which are unloaded and affixed to ceremonial rifle stocks (hand-made by Tomb Guards). These rifles are cleaned daily and kept ready for use at all times.[22] [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns#Weapons[/url][/quote] The citation links to a dead page so I don't know.

[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;44481729]I probably read it on Wikipedia a while back, or heard it from someone who read it. The citation links to a dead page so I don't know.[/QUOTE] That's the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier, in the US. While their job is just as demanding as that of the Queen's Guard, they aren't exactly guarding anything that would do anything more than piss off a bunch of people if it were destroyed. Their job is more or less entirely ceremonial. While on the other hand I would imagine the Queen of England would be a pretty big target for terrorists if she were guarded by a bunch of dudes with ceremonial rifles that weren't loaded.

[QUOTE=Saturn V;44477763]I've wondered though, what's the point in these royal family-thingies? Other than tourism and such.[/QUOTE] You can ask the same question but concerning why there are presidential guards in most western nations.

[QUOTE=Swebonny;44477724]Are there bullets in those rifles or just something for show? In Sweden two guys clad in Santa costumes assaulted and robbed a Swedish main guard of his rifle.[/QUOTE] Dunno if it changed but it used to be, for the Swedish royal guard, 2 blanks and 15 live. Regarding that incident it's not unlikely he was working with them, tho one should remember they're mostly conscripts. However not only do they have the right but an obligation to stop intruders using their rifle.

I'm picturing what would happen if that guy tried the same thing in America at the White House gates. Probably shot and killed on the spot.

[QUOTE=Saturn V;44477763]I've wondered though, what's the point in these royal family-thingies? Other than tourism and such.[/QUOTE] The Queen is head of state of the UK and commonwealth, she is also Commander and Chief, while the generals and Prime Minister control where stuff happens etc.) Personnel and Officers are sworn by oath to the queen and she is at the end of the day, the boss of things.

Well at least they actually did something for once rather than standing around in woolie hats

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;44482931]I'm picturing what would happen if that guy tried the same thing in America at the White House gates. Probably shot and killed on the spot.[/QUOTE] You're allowed to walk up to the gates of the Whitehouse.

[QUOTE=wraithcat;44481893]You can ask the same question but concerning why there are presidential guards in most western nations.[/QUOTE] Because the presidents do things. As far as I'm aware, the Queen's role in government is almost entirely ceremonial.

Can't you just sew some icepacks into the hat?

[QUOTE=Trekintosh;44483108]Because the presidents do things. As far as I'm aware, the Queen's role in government is almost entirely ceremonial.[/QUOTE] The President of the United States is an exception to most Presidents who are heads of states (where the US President is both head of government and head of state). Most Presidents are almost entirely ceremonial and are pretty much forced to sign into law whatever is passed by the legislature, with their only real power being that of dismissing the legislature (which isn't even their power, they would only be able to do it on the advice of the head of government). The US Presidential system is today much more dictatorial than the UK constitutional monarchy system has been for hundreds of years.

[QUOTE=mugofdoom;44481788]That's the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier, in the US. While their job is just as demanding as that of the Queen's Guard, they aren't exactly guarding anything that would do anything more than piss off a bunch of people if it were destroyed. Their job is more or less entirely ceremonial. While on the other hand I would imagine the Queen of England would be a pretty big target for terrorists if she were guarded by a bunch of dudes with ceremonial rifles that weren't loaded.[/QUOTE] Ummm... I know? What's your point here? I thought it was pretty obvious I was talking explicitly about the Tomb in Arlington.

What will those guards actually do? Are those rifles loaded? Are they allowed to shoot someone for any reason? Under which reasons if so?

[QUOTE=TheTalon;44483442]What will those guards actually do? Are those rifles loaded? Are they allowed to shoot someone for any reason? Under which reasons if so?[/QUOTE] For the fifth time, they'd stab him with the bayonet him if he tried forcing in, yes they're loaded, yes they're allowed to fire, they're protecting the queen from idiots trying to break in.

[QUOTE=Antdawg;44483241]The President of the United States is an exception to most Presidents who are heads of states (where the US President is both head of government and head of state). Most Presidents are almost entirely ceremonial and are pretty much forced to sign into law whatever is passed by the legislature, with their only real power being that of dismissing the legislature (which isn't even their power, they would only be able to do it on the advice of the head of government). The US Presidential system is today much more dictatorial than the UK constitutional monarchy system has been for hundreds of years.[/QUOTE] Most, if not all, Presidents also serve as the supreme commanders of the military of their nations. Their jobs aren't restricted only to "pass me that law and my seal of approval, bam, next!"

[img]http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01952/SNN0601ANN--_1952020a.jpg[/img] I can't help but laugh at a photo of a guy in a ridiculously oversized fuzzy hat who looks like he can barely see pointing a bayonet-affixed assault rifle in someone's face. I'm sure it would be less funny if it was pointing at me but from this perspective...hilarious.

[QUOTE=Antdawg;44483241]The President of the United States is an exception to most Presidents who are heads of states [B](where the US President is both head of government and head of state)[/B].[/QUOTE] What's the difference?

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;44484025]What's the difference?[/QUOTE] Head of government oversees the day to day business of the government, directs and is a figurehead of the cabinet. Head of state is the supreme representative of the nation but isn't a member of the government. As you're from the US you understandably wouldn't recognise a difference, as the US President is both head of government and head of state. In pretty much all other nations, the premier / prime minister is head of government and the president / monarch / governor general is the head of state. Eg in Australia the prime minister is head of government while the queen is head of state, and in the queen's absence (99.99% of the time) the governor general acts as head of state.

[QUOTE=_Maverick_;44478491]it's about discipline.[/QUOTE] "not helping someone with heatstroke, may die", "discipline" No.

[QUOTE=IGotWorms;44483979][img]http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01952/SNN0601ANN--_1952020a.jpg[/img] I can't help but laugh at a photo of a guy in a ridiculously oversized fuzzy hat who looks like he can barely see pointing a bayonet-affixed assault rifle in someone's face. I'm sure it would be less funny if it was pointing at me but from this perspective...hilarious.[/QUOTE] Honestly I wish their clothes were more pragmatic, the ceremonial decoration could be easily kept but jeez how would you move around if something actually happened

[QUOTE=Gwoodman;44478579]Either you toughen up and accept that being a soldier is hard or you stay a whiny bitch and complain about rules being stupid[/QUOTE] Yeah you can totally control when heatstroke gets to you. You're an idiot.

[QUOTE=SpaceGhost;44484716]"not helping someone with heatstroke, may die", "discipline" No.[/QUOTE] "following orders", "not discipline" No. [editline]7th April 2014[/editline] I'm sure they're told to drink plenty of water beforehand.

[QUOTE=SpaceGhost;44484716]"not helping someone with heatstroke, may die", "discipline" No.[/QUOTE] Apparently they have medical staff on duty when they perform these marches.