The firing squad has played a contentious role throughout U.S. history, evolving from a colonial punishment to a debated alternative to lethal injection in the modern era. South Carolina is poised to execute Brad Sigmon by firing squad, marking the first such event in the U.S. in 15 years. Convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001, Sigmon opted for this method over South Carolina’s other options: the electric chair and lethal injection. His final appeal was turned down by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Since 1608, America has seen at least 144 civilian executions by shooting, predominantly in Utah, and only three have been conducted since 1977. The reinstatement of capital punishment after a pause witnessed the first in a string of media-sensationalized cases led by Gary Gilmore, who waived his appeals and famously uttered, “Let’s do it,” preceding his execution.
At present, four other states, namely Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah, sanction firing squads under certain situations. This article delves into the origins and evolution of this execution method in the U.S.
The tradition dates back to the early 17th century in Virginia’s Jamestown with the execution of Capt. George Kendall, suspected of mutiny and possibly betraying the colony to Spain. Public executions by firing squad also served as a deterrent during the American Revolution and the Civil War, where they were used sparingly as a spectacle meant to instill fear and discipline amongst soldiers.
Throughout the Civil War, at least 185 men faced this grim consequence, often carried out to send a cautionary message to those contemplating desertion or defying authority. Mark Smith, a history professor, pointed out the method’s intended shock value, serving as both a punishment and a tool for maintaining order.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, outside Utah, the use of firing squads dwindled. Nevada briefly adopted the method, building a device in 1913 to execute via guns controlled by strings due to a lack of volunteers. Meanwhile, Utah continued to conduct firing squad executions, with a notable case in 1877 leading to the first Supreme Court challenge on execution methods, though ultimately upheld.
As the 20th century progressed, new methods like lethal injection were introduced as presumably more humane alternatives to hanging, electrocution, and firing squads. However, lethal injection has come under scrutiny for being error-prone and often poorly executed, sparking discussions around revisiting firing squads as a more reliable option.
Idaho recently passed legislation positioning firing squads as their primary execution method. Utah’s death row also sees requests for this method. Some legal and public figures advocate for reconsideration of the firing squad, arguing for its relative efficacy and lesser likelihood of causing prolonged suffering, supported by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissenting opinion highlighting its potential relative humanity compared to other methods.
Instances of error in firing squad executions are rare; the most notable flawed cases include Wilkerson and Eliseo Mares in 1951. Modern procedures, overseen by expert shooters, aim to prevent such mishaps from repeating. In South Carolina, Sigmon’s selection of the firing squad reflects his belief that the method poses fewer risks of a botched execution than available alternatives.
Amidst modern advancements, including deadlier bullets and more precise weapons, the ceremony remains hauntingly reminiscent of executions from over a century ago, with the condemned bound, hooded, and marked. Once the command is given, volunteer officers take their places behind the trigger, ready to fulfill this somber duty.
