No bullets

quote:

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National Guard is armed but no bullets in chamber
The National Guardsmen on active duty in Los Angeles are carrying weapons but don’t have rounds in the chamber, and they aren’t using rubber bullets or pepper spray, according to a U.S. official.


Members of the California national guard stand in tear gas while trying to clear protesters at the metropolitan detention center in downtown Los Angeles, June 8, 2025.
Jae Hong/AP
The Rules of Force that they are operating under call for them to de-escalate any incidents as much as possible, two U.S. officials said. They also have the right to self-defense.

The Marines and the National Guard personnel receiving orders to deploy to LA will operate under similar rules of force, according to two U.S. officials. That means they're tasked with protecting federal buildings and federal personnel only; they won't patrol streets, try to engage people or detain rioters on behalf of police, the officials said.

These Marines and guard personnel aren't using rubber bullets or pepper spray either, but they will carry ammunition as part of their uniforms that can be used in the rare case of self-defense, the officials said.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez and Anne Flaherty

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