Chieftain
Did they let you keep your M14 and take it home as a souvie?
Don't I wish! They had no sense of humor about the selector either. I offered to put one of the selector locks on it too. No Go.
I now have a pre ban Springfield M1A/M14. Actually it shoots pretty good.
I have a story: I had recently picked up my M1A and was sighting it in at about 400yds. I was prone and talking to my buddy. (we were on private land of another buddies of ours) Anyway I am running my mouth, turn to load a full magazine. I do what I always did in Nam slam the mag on my helmet to set the rounds, and load.
I had forgotten that I didn't have a helmet on. Hurt like hell too!!!
You kill your enemies, you take there gear. Never ending supply.
Also, the US military as a whole would never actively attack or disarm civilians, if it came down to it a good part of the military would break off and join us.
Only if you win the battle. Just cause you got a few of the other guys, don't mean they are going to stand around and watch you strip their buddy. Usually get pretty sensitive about that.
AS to whether our well disciplined troops would or would not follow their orders? Well, I bet the majority would.
After all, how has the civilian world treated them?
I would not put my life or the life of my family on the religious beliefs of other people. You may be right, but I frankly and respectfully disagree with you. I believe most of the troops will follow their orders. Just like the Cops. Most will follow their orders. If you don't believe that, just look at New Orleans, or the Check points the DC police are running right now.
History and facts don't bear you out. US troops have fired on and/or acted on US civilians before, several times. Think WACO. They used IIRC either Reserve or National Guard Choppers in an armed assault. What do you think has changed?
Go figure.
Fred