The pistols and powerful rifles guard members carry are similar to those local police use across the country. Troops have been told to use their weapons only as a last resort.

National Guard troops deployed to patrol the streets of Washington, D.C., have begun carrying firearms in an escalation of President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the nation’s capital

U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime will begin carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.