The firing squad has a complex and controversial history in the United States, serving as a means of punishment for mutiny, deterring desertion during the Civil War, and a form of frontier justice in the Old West. Today, some view it as a potentially more humane alternative to lethal injection. South Carolina is set to carry out the first execution by firing squad in the US in 15 years, with Brad Sigmon, convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001, opting for this method over the electric chair and lethal injection. His final appeal was rejected by the state’s Supreme Court.
Historically, over 144 executions by firing squad have been recorded since 1608, primarily in Utah, with very few occurring in recent decades. The first of these modern executions was Gary Gilmore in 1977, who famously volunteered for execution and stated, “Let’s do it.”
Five states currently authorise firing squads under specific conditions: Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah. The method’s origins trace back to colonial America, where the first documented shooting execution occurred in Jamestown in 1608. The tactic was employed during the American Revolution and Civil War to instil fear among troops. Notably, General George Washington intervened to spare a soldier from execution.
During the Civil War, firing squads executed around 185 individuals, serving as harsh deterrents to maintain discipline within the ranks. The practice continued predominantly in Utah, where a 1851 law allowed for execution by firing squad, hanging, or beheading. Notably, Nevada briefly used firing squads in 1913 due to difficulty finding executioners.
In modern times, firing squads fell out of favour as states shifted towards lethal injection, perceived as more humane. However, the challenges and failures associated with lethal injections have raised questions about their efficacy, prompting renewed interest in firing squads. Recent legislative developments in states like Idaho reflect this shift, while some inmates on Utah’s death row have requested execution by firing squad.
Criminologists have pointed out the simplicity and reliability of firing squads, which have recorded minimal botched executions compared to lethal injections. Legal experts advocate for a reevaluation of firing squads due to their historical records of swift death and the advances in shooting accuracy.
As South Carolina prepares for Sigmon’s execution, it highlights a method steeped in history yet facing contemporary scrutiny and reconsideration as execution protocols evolve. Ultimately, the decision reflects both a desire for effectiveness in capital punishment and a societal grappling with the morality of execution methods.