EXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works

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

[Oldeconomybuyer]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — It’s unknown how long a stay will hold off the execution of Richard Bernard Moore — South Carolina’s first-ever inmate to be put to death by a firing squad — as his attorneys pursue legal challenges.

But the issuance of Moore’s death warrant, initially planned to be carried out April 29, has renewed interest in how a state puts in motion its plans to shoot an inmate to death.

HOW IS THE EXECUTION CARRIED OUT?

The agency spent $53,600 in state funding on renovations, including the installation of bullet-resistant glass between the death chamber and witnesses, as well as a metal chair into which the inmate will be strapped. They also cut into the brick wall of the chamber to make an aperture through which the three shooters — all volunteer employees from the Corrections Department — will thread their weapons, all loaded with live ammunition.

The aperture is 15 feet from the condemned, situated in a corner of the room, according to a memo released last month by the prisons agency. While the inmate will be visible to witnesses, officials said that the shooters and their weapons will not.

The electric chair, which officials say cannot be removed from the chamber, will be covered in its spot between the glass wall and the firing squad chair.

After an opportunity to make a final statement, the inmate will be strapped into the chair and a hood placed over his head. An execution team member will place a “small aim point” over the inmate’s heart.

After the warden reads the execution order, officials said the team will fire. The agency has not specified what caliber rifles the volunteer shooters will use, nor details of the “certain qualifications” they will be required to have met.

[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!