CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: Firing Squad

deathpenaltyinfo.org ^ | 2006

[ThePythonicCow]

10 ton slab

Definitely quicker than 10 seconds, from initial impact to total loss of awareness.

[RichInOC]

Let me just say this: There are few problems that can't be solved through the judicious application of high explosives.

[LoneConservative]

Are you reading "Six Frigates"???

LC

[Solamente]

Heart, schmart. Shoot 'em in the face.

[Cobra64]

Why not use one of these?

[ThePythonicCow]

Only the bleeding hearts amongst us care about the suffering of the criminal.

I disagree. Granted, expressions of concern for the suffering are being used as cover, for efforts to abolish the death penalty.

I'd treat capital punishment the same as I would putting down an animal. It is going down, when I decide it is going down. That matter is not in dispute. I'd pick the means from those available to me, avoiding unnecessary cruelty.

If it were an animal I was fond of, I'd give it a good last meal, and a loving pat, first.

I abhor the bleeding heart liberals efforts to remove all vestige of traditional justice from the public square.

Justice should be swift, and done with respect for the dignity of others, even when that means their death, and even when they have not earned any vestige of that respect.

[Alouette]

This seems like the simplest, most efficient, quickest method.

[CWOJackson]

LOL! I just spent a few minutes looking for the user "Six Frigates."

No but I will add it to my list. I was a listed as a naval historian for the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service/Revenue Marine and Bering Sea Patrol (sail and early steam period) for a few years.

Although that field is fairly exclusive I've naturally read a bit on other eras; in fact my wife has a fair knowledge of Nelson's Navy through association. I remember when we went to see "Master and Commander" she was critiquing some things to me after the movie.

[doc1019]

Viewed from 10,000 feet, I think we are saying about the same thing. Only point of contention, I don’t care about the suffering of the criminal … unlike a pet, who has done nothing wrong, perhaps, other then get old, most on death row have caused death and usually with some suffering to the victim.

[bubbacluck]

Ole' Sharpie?

[Tall_Texan]

Let's test it on Saddam Hussein. Is tomorrow too soon?

[lawdude]

"I don't think the Supreme Court would ever allow strangulation with a telephone cord."

My choices for the court would!!!

[kvanbrunt2]

If the shooters miss the heart, by accident or intention, the prisoner bleeds to death slowly. (Hillman, 1992 and Weisberg, 1991)

20 shooters would probably mitigate this outcome

[Porterville]

Because bullets cost money. A retractable bolt is good for a very long time.

[spanalot]

the concussion of the bullet hitting the spine and the spinal chord appers to cause 'dont know what hit em' - at least in deer.

[ThePythonicCow]

most on death row have caused death and usually with some suffering to the victim.

Yes - even so, given the otherwise even choice between two methods, I'd pick the one less painful.

And the damn judge should keep his nose out of the details.

[TheWriterTX]

Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotine was commissioned by the French Government to create the most *egalitarian* and humane form of execution. Prior to his creation, beheadings were typically performed by paid executioners, the most famous being the Sanson family (because they were very effective and the executioner of choice among nobility).

Because nobility could chose a fine blade, while peasants were beheaded with a less efficient axe (sometimes requiring two to three chops if one were clumsy or did not possess the required strength), this method was deemed inhumane and unfair. The guillotine was efficient for everyone.

The advance of STD and blood-related diseases would make clean up after a beheading a messy business, indeed. The upside though is that it is economical (requiring no electricity, and other expensive precautions - only sharpening after every execution to ensure a clean cut the first time down). Furthermore, the prisoner need not even be conscious throughout (which would prevent the shocked look of horror on the face, as the brain retains at least enough blood for conscious thought for up to a minute afterwards before dying from blood loss).

(If I've freaked you out, don't fret! I studied this topic for a book of mine, so I know more than the average person does on it).

[TheWriterTX]

You are correct.

[Rembrandt_fan]

You wrote, "...it should be whatever means of execution the killer used on his victim(s)."

I am an advocate of the death penalty but think what you're suggesting clearly constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, hence unconstitutional on its face. Besides, I've known a few prison guards--hardworking, decent, dedicated men. Could you honestly demand that correctional officers execute someone like Lawrence Bittaker using the killer's modus operandi, which--in Bittaker's case--consisted of torturing his victims to death with pliers?

Personally, I think the Chinese method, a bullet to the brain, is sufficient: quick, probably painless, and inexpensive.

[ThePythonicCow]

'dont know what hit em'

Yeah - they might be totally brain dead yet, but they probably aren't much worried about the difference.