That Time a Teenager Nearly Assassinated the Queen During a Fantasy Assassination of the Queen

TL;DR

A 17-year-old boy attempted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II in 1981, but his gun, filled with blanks, failed to cause harm due to the strict gun laws in the UK.

Transcript

The Queen is likely one of the single best protected people on the entire planet. But on June 13, 1981 a 17 year old young man who held a marksman's badge from the Air Training Corps somehow managed to circumvent the endless layers of security put in place to protect the Queen and fired a revolver at her from about 10 feet or 3 meters away. In the ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔒 The Queen's strict security measures were bypassed in a failed assassination attempt by Marcus Sarjeant.
• 👮 Sarjeant's inability to obtain live ammunition due to strict UK gun laws prevented a tragedy from occurring.
• ⏮️ Sarjeant's motivations stemmed from a desire for fame, inspired by previous assassinations and attempts on famous figures.
• 🎑 Queen Elizabeth II displayed her characteristic stoicism during the incident, continuing with the ceremony as if nothing had happened.
• 🥺 The failed assassination attempt led to changes in the law regarding charges and penalties for discharging a firearm near the monarch.
• 😃 Sarjeant's apology and subsequent disappearance from the public eye indicate a change in perspective and desire for fame.
• ✋ The incident highlights the importance of comprehensive security measures for protecting high-profile individuals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Marcus Sarjeant to attempt the assassination of Queen Elizabeth II?

Sarjeant was inspired by previous assassinations of famous figures like John Lennon and attempts on the lives of Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, hoping to achieve similar notoriety.

Q: Why did Sarjeant fail to acquire live ammunition for his gun?

Strict gun laws in the UK prevented Sarjeant from obtaining live ammunition, limiting him to blanks and rendering his attempt harmless.

Q: How did Queen Elizabeth II react to the assassination attempt?

The Queen, displaying her stoicism, remained calm and unruffled, continuing the Trooping the Colour ceremony as if nothing had occurred.

Q: What was the outcome of Marcus Sarjeant's trial?

Sarjeant was ultimately convicted under the Treason Act of 1842 for discharging a cartridge pistol with intent to alarm the Queen and received a five-year prison sentence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1981, a 17-year-old named Marcus Sarjeant attempted to kill Queen Elizabeth II with a gun loaded with blanks.

• Sarjeant's inspiration came from previous assassinations and attempts on famous figures.

• Despite his intentions, Sarjeant failed to acquire live ammunition due to strict UK gun laws, ultimately leading to his unsuccessful assassination attempt.