EXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works

The Associated Press ^ | April 23, 2022 | By MEG KINNARD

[China Clipper]

"Traditionally one shooter had a blank round, but none knew which one had it. That way none ever knew if they shot a fatal shot."

I heard that as well, but I have fired both, and I think it's fairly easy to tell when you fire a real round versus a blank round. It has a lot to do with the recoil. It's not hard to tell if you have fired a real versus a bland round, IIRC.

[ltc8k6]

You can absolutely tell if you fired a blank or a bullet. There’s no way any competent shooter would not know.

You would need to use a round that mimics a live round in recoil. Not sure what that would be.

[heavy metal]

3 strikes you’re out...

[crz]

There are a ton of politicians in DC they could practice on.

I would bet they’d have quite a line up for the practice session.

[Eagles6]

Well, they knew.

Wittnesses, maybe not.

The blank will have no recoil.

[the OlLine Rebel]

I don’t know why we don’t just do “hangings” (not really….it breaks the neck; true hanging is actually dangling till asphyxiated).

It’s absurd going through all this nonsense about what is humane or cruel, constantly changing the method.

Actually, gas chamber is the most humane. Just not real showy for “witnesses”.

[larrytown]

Such stupid drama - why do they even bother with live shooters?

Why this has to be such a production is unfathomable - simple hanging would be fine. Pierrepoint’s standards and algorithms should suffice.

[elteemike]

Pobrecito mijo! James Mahoney was not hiven a choice...

[South Dakota]

I have a very lucky twenty dollar bill, im sure of it

[elteemike]

“Given”...Airtight chamber...Evacuate the atmosphere...Replace with CO2

[TangoLimaSierra]

Guillotine? Dunno. Lay there looking at that blade and then hear it coming down?

Some of these guys deserve to be put on their backs with no hood. Pedos for instance.

[circlecity]

I don’t disagree but that was the practice and rationale for it.

[gundog]

I’m sure the condemned gets their pick of some tasty vegan fare for a last meal.

[Mr. K]

aim them and do it automagically by computer

No need to have men shooting

[Mr Ramsbotham]

They’d probably get the vapors if the condemned asked for a cigarette.

I'd ask for a cigar.

[MileHi]

Traditionally one shooter had a blank round, but none knew which one had it. That way none ever knew if they shot a fatal shot.

And yet a blank has no recoil and a loaded round does.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Pay-For-View would be great. If only Howard Cosell were here to be master of ceremonies. He could interview the condemned man, and then the shooters, the witnesses, the warden. Really build it up so the audience gets their money's worth. Focus in on "the last meal" and the chef who prepared it. Great stuff.

[Organic Panic]

I agree. Then the condemned can be given the option to donate his organs.

[Myrddin]

“Given”...Airtight chamber...Evacuate the atmosphere...Replace with CO2

Nitrogen, not CO2. Odorless. Inert. Doesn't prompt a high CO2 panic. The condemned just passes out for lack of oxygen. Monitor for cessation of heartbeat. Replace with "room air" to restore oxygen to safe levels before extracting the body.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

The Star of the Show — you go boy!