I live about a mile from my local airport, and I like to go running there because there are lots of level quiet streets to run on. There is a National Guard unit based there, as well as a Marine C130 unit.
Today while I was running I was approaching a group of buildings on a public street within the airport grounds. There was a group of about 20 soldiers in uniform with M16s standing near the street. I thought they were probably getting ready to go out on some exercise.
As I got closer I noticed several of the soldiers prone on the grass beside the street with their rifles on bipods pointed in various directions, as if they were practicing defending a position. One of those soldiers had his M16 pointed directly at me as I was running by. He was on his sights, but I didn't see if his finger was on the trigger.
So my question is, do they drill with real M16s, and if so is it ok to point them at civilians on a public street, even if they are unloaded? I hope it was unloaded, but then there would be no way for me to know that except to assume. Are soldiers except from following the 4 rules?
Today while I was running I was approaching a group of buildings on a public street within the airport grounds. There was a group of about 20 soldiers in uniform with M16s standing near the street. I thought they were probably getting ready to go out on some exercise.
As I got closer I noticed several of the soldiers prone on the grass beside the street with their rifles on bipods pointed in various directions, as if they were practicing defending a position. One of those soldiers had his M16 pointed directly at me as I was running by. He was on his sights, but I didn't see if his finger was on the trigger.
So my question is, do they drill with real M16s, and if so is it ok to point them at civilians on a public street, even if they are unloaded? I hope it was unloaded, but then there would be no way for me to know that except to assume. Are soldiers except from following the 4 rules?