No, soldiers guarding Tomb of the Unknown Soldier aren’t carrying live ammunition

With monuments and statues across the nation being toppled or vandalized amid protests over racial injustice — and rumors flying about such destruction that never occurred — this claim appeared on Facebook: 

"For the first time, the Honor Guard soldiers that march at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery have been issued live ammunition! Lock and load, citizens."

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

According to Arlington National Cemetery, the tomb is a white marble sarcophagus inscribed with the words: "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." A select group of soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard, stand watch over it 24 hours a day.

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Providence City Council

stated on January 3, 2013 in a council resolution

"Semi-automatic weapons, whether pistol or rifle, were designed for use by the military on the battlefield."

They carry weapons but no live ammunition, said Army Staff Sgt. Maryam Treece, who handles public affairs for The Old Guard.

She told PolitiFact she did not know why the statement would have been made.

Barbara Lewandrowski, a spokeswoman for Arlington National Cemetery, told PolitiFact in an email that uniformed security personnel provide "around-the-clock protection of all of the cemetery’s 639 acres" but wouldn’t comment on how they were armed, citing "operational security."

We rate the statement False.