In the long haul it's a far less cruel weapon than the basic rifle for riot duty and that sort of thing.
I read where a group of illegals rushed the National Guard in Texas a while back and tore on past them, shoving them aside. My guess is that would not have happened had the officer given the order to fix bayonets. Had the illegals guessed that it wasn't going to stop them most likely they would have beaten a hasty retreat if the order had been given to engage them.
Nobody really wants to get bayoneted. A lot of people are far more frightened of being stabbed than they are of being shot.
On occasion on US Navy ships when Marines have to get somewhere fast an officer will order bayonets fixed. It's not to hurt sailors. It's to get them out of the way. Sailors will give the Marines a wide berth because they don't want to accidentally come into contact with a sharp, stabby object. It hurts.
In most cases where a bayonet is required very rarely is a skewering required to achieve compliance. A short jab is generally all it takes and generally if you can stick one of the instigators that's a real bonus.
In city rioting the same thing holds true. A quick stab pretty much assures compliance. It doesn't have to be very deep, either. About a half inch to maybe an inch deep will get someone's attention rather quickly. It doesn't take much unless the stabee is pretty keyed up or pretty loaded on something.
Of course a bayonet is not the solution to all problems but it is certainly another tool to work with.
Absolutely right on the money. I bet if the NG unit at Kent State had fixed bayonets there probably would not have been a shooting. Of course sending troops out with fixed bayonets would never fly in the 'woke' world of unicorn farts and rainbows.
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