Utah Governor Signs Measure Banning Firing Squads
SALT LAKE CITY -- Firing squads are now outlawed in Utah.
Gov. Olene Walker has signed a measure banning that execution method, leaving lethal injection as the only option for putting condemned killers to death.
Lawmakers said eliminating firing squads denies killers the chance to go out in a blaze of glory. Four inmates who had already chosen firing squads will be allowed to go ahead with their plans.
Since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976, two people in the United States have died by firing squad, both in Utah.
Utah's firing squads employ five riflemen. One of the men shoots a blank so that none will know who fired the lethal shots.
The only two states that still provide for firing squads are Idaho and Oklahoma
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Utah Governor Signs Measure Banning Firing Squads
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"Utah's firing squads employ five riflemen. One of the men shoots a blank so that none will know who fired the lethal shots."
I know that it's traditional for one shooter to have a blank, and I've never fired a blank, but really... Can't you easily tell a blank by recoil? I think the rifles those guys use are of the big-boom variety. You'd think it would be fairly obvious.
Tim
I know that it's traditional for one shooter to have a blank, and I've never fired a blank, but really... Can't you easily tell a blank by recoil? I think the rifles those guys use are of the big-boom variety. You'd think it would be fairly obvious.
Tim
Doug444
Member
Utah's firing squads typically use lever-action .30-30's. Kind of an "old west" touch, if you ask me
. Yeah, I'd think that you'd know if you shot a .30-30 or a blank round. But appearances have to be kept.
IMHO, I think the lethal injection is FAR to humane for someone who's been sentanced to death. But that's just me.
. Yeah, I'd think that you'd know if you shot a .30-30 or a blank round. But appearances have to be kept. IMHO, I think the lethal injection is FAR to humane for someone who's been sentanced to death. But that's just me.
It's simple enough
Use a custom blank, with the same or slightly greater amount of powder to simulate the correct recoil. Have a guy do a set of 3 firings, and try to guess the blank. If he can identify it regularly, adjust the load. Find a load that the guy can't reliaby tell the difference between. Grab a group of other shooters and have them try. If they can't tell the difference, you're good.
Use a custom blank, with the same or slightly greater amount of powder to simulate the correct recoil. Have a guy do a set of 3 firings, and try to guess the blank. If he can identify it regularly, adjust the load. Find a load that the guy can't reliaby tell the difference between. Grab a group of other shooters and have them try. If they can't tell the difference, you're good.
"Use a custom blank, with the same or slightly greater amount of powder to simulate the correct recoil."
I guess that could work in principle, although I think it might be hard to load the case with so much powder that you could get enough mass going down the barrel to mistake it for the bullet.
Anyway, I would hate to be the guy who got the blank.
Tim
I guess that could work in principle, although I think it might be hard to load the case with so much powder that you could get enough mass going down the barrel to mistake it for the bullet.
Anyway, I would hate to be the guy who got the blank.
Tim
Mizzoutiger
Member
This is pretty dumb logic. The chances of having fired a bullet at this guy are far greater than getting a blank.
Besides, even if there was a way to "fool" the shooters on the blanks issue, they are still looking at this guy in their sights as he is being shot. I would think the psychological effects wouldn't be much different.
If they were hired to the job, they should already know what's entailed in completing it. No need to beat around the bush.
Besides, even if there was a way to "fool" the shooters on the blanks issue, they are still looking at this guy in their sights as he is being shot. I would think the psychological effects wouldn't be much different.
If they were hired to the job, they should already know what's entailed in completing it. No need to beat around the bush.
PATH
Member
Lethal injection, hanging, shooting, gas chamber, or old sparky are all acceptable methods. As long as some deviant filth is removed from the gene pool thereby at minimal tax payer cost!
I live in UT and I hate the fact that we don't use firing squad anymore.
I honestly think that executions should be done by one man. Give him a 1911 Colt .45ACP and put a bag over the condemned's head. Shoot him.
Thats .25 cents to the taxpayer + the wages for the man to shoot the weapon (theoretically 2 minutes to walk to site, load, pull trigger, but realisitcally half a day).
Much better than paying for electricity, gas, etc.
Semper Fidelis
I honestly think that executions should be done by one man. Give him a 1911 Colt .45ACP and put a bag over the condemned's head. Shoot him.
Thats .25 cents to the taxpayer + the wages for the man to shoot the weapon (theoretically 2 minutes to walk to site, load, pull trigger, but realisitcally half a day).
Much better than paying for electricity, gas, etc.
Semper Fidelis
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Rope's cheaper, and reusable, too.
MicroBalrog
member
The Swiss do quite well without capital punishment! And so do the Swedish, Norwegians, Finns, Luxemburgians, Canadians, and inhabitants of several US states.
Mark Tyson
Member
Execution by shooting is so quick, cheap, simple and presumably painless that I can't believe it isn't the primary method of execution. Look at all the other bizarre contraptions people construct to off criminals with. What's the point?
Shooter973
Member
Firing Squads
I think that the method of Exicution should be left up to the family of the Victim!!! Let them decide if it's the needle or a bullet. They are the ones that lost the most in these cases. :banghead:
:banghead:
I think that the method of Exicution should be left up to the family of the Victim!!! Let them decide if it's the needle or a bullet. They are the ones that lost the most in these cases. :banghead:
:banghead:BHPshooter
Member
Olene Walker drives me nuts.
Yes, I truly doubt you'd feel much with 4 30-30 rounds through your heart. Additionally, I don't think a firing squad is a "blaze of glory," it's like being cornered like a rodent.
Firing squad AND hangings should be brought back, and should be public.
Grrr.... Olene Walker... Grrrrr...
Wes
nuts.Yes, I truly doubt you'd feel much with 4 30-30 rounds through your heart. Additionally, I don't think a firing squad is a "blaze of glory," it's like being cornered like a rodent.
Firing squad AND hangings should be brought back, and should be public.Grrr.... Olene Walker... Grrrrr...
Wes
7.62FullMetalJacket
Member
What is her dog in this fight? Is she a "compassionate" conservative, or even conservative at all? Sounds like she is an import.
dustind
Member
What type of cartridges do they use?
Carlos Cabeza
Member
Micro, I like how YOUR state handles it...............Just roll up in a tank and blow the whole house up. Now THAT'S justice. 
I like how YOUR state handles it...............Just roll up in a tank and blow the whole house up. Now THAT'S justice. See, there are still some "no compromise" states left.
Dain Bramage
Member
I always look to Luxembourg as a model on how to guide my life.
I detest Gov. Walker.
Soft soft soft. i don't know why Mike EVER picked her as a running mate. Well, I do not know why... for those pieces of ???? we call Democrats.
Semper Fidelis
P.S. anybody in Utah got any class 3 toys they want to sell? Specifically an Mp5 in any config. email at [email protected]
Soft soft soft. i don't know why Mike EVER picked her as a running mate. Well, I do not know why... for those pieces of ???? we call Democrats.
Semper Fidelis
P.S. anybody in Utah got any class 3 toys they want to sell? Specifically an Mp5 in any config. email at [email protected]
I always thought the firing squad was too easy of a way out for the criminal. Gary Gilmore of Utah murdered someone I knew and he died a merciful death by firing squad.
The Gas Chamber (where you get to wait in anticipatioin) and "OLD SPARKY" were more suited to this type of punishment IMO.
I think the perpetrators of such crimes ought to die the way they murdered their victims. I have no tolerance for murder. It is anathema to me. I would turn in my own children if I knew they had done such a thing.
Microbalrog, I take it back. Don't move here. We have enough bleeding hearts as it is. Living where you say you do, your stance is unintelligble even with your 20000000000 IQ as you say.
The Gas Chamber (where you get to wait in anticipatioin) and "OLD SPARKY" were more suited to this type of punishment IMO.
I think the perpetrators of such crimes ought to die the way they murdered their victims. I have no tolerance for murder. It is anathema to me. I would turn in my own children if I knew they had done such a thing.
Microbalrog, I take it back. Don't move here. We have enough bleeding hearts as it is. Living where you say you do, your stance is unintelligble even with your 20000000000 IQ as you say.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
What a damn shame! With lethal injection there
is absolutely no suffering; and the folks that have
a history of committing these henious acts just go
to sleep in LA-LA land.
And, life is prison w/o parole sucks big time! Just a
country club with TV and weight room for felons;
along with a nice gym, and excercise yard. Oh!
don't let me forget the "basset-ball" courts.
I'm in favor of the gallows, Yellow Mom'ma (Alabama's
electric chair) or even the gas chamber.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
With lethal injection thereis absolutely no suffering; and the folks that have
a history of committing these henious acts just go
to sleep in LA-LA land.
And, life is prison w/o parole sucks big time! Just a
country club with TV and weight room for felons;
along with a nice gym, and excercise yard. Oh!
don't let me forget the "basset-ball" courts.
I'm in favor of the gallows, Yellow Mom'ma (Alabama's
electric chair) or even the gas chamber.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
madmike
Member
I object to the state executing criminals on the grounds that they often pinpoint the wrong suspect. Just as I left IL, a man doing 20 years for rape and abuse was released because his "victim" admitted lying.
Now, when it comes to the VICTIM executing the criminal on the spot, any caliber or technique is approved, endorsed, and enjoyed with beer and popcorn.
Now, when it comes to the VICTIM executing the criminal on the spot, any caliber or technique is approved, endorsed, and enjoyed with beer and popcorn.
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