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Execution by firing squad, in the past sometimes called fusillading (from the French fusil, rifle), is a method of capital punishment, particularly common in the military and in times of war.
Jun 18, 2010 · Death by firing squad, an archaic way of carrying out the death penalty that is now banned in the United States (for most prisoners, that is), was the form of execution chosen by convicted Utah...
During the American Civil War, 433 of the 573 men executed were shot dead by a firing squad: 186 of the 267 executed by the Union Army, and 247 of the 306 executed by the Confederate Army. Today, execution by shooting is allowed in the US states of Idaho, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah .
- Lethal Injection. In 1977, Oklahoma became the first state to adopt lethal injection as a means of execution, though it would be five more years until Charles Brooks would become the first person executed by lethal injection in Texas on December 2, 1982.
- Electrocution. Seeking a more humane method of execution than hanging, New York built the first electric chair in 1888 and executed William Kemmler in 1890.
- Gas Chamber. In 1924, the use of cyanide gas was introduced as Nevada sought a more humane way of executing its condemned prisoners. Gee Jon was the first person executed by lethal gas.
- Firing Squad. On March 23, 2015, firing squad was reauthorized in Utah as a viable method of execution if, and only if the state was unable to obtain the drugs necessary to carry out a lethal injection execution.
Mar 24, 2023 · Just 143 died by firing squad, compared with 9,322 by hanging and 4,426 by electrocution. HAS THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHED IN? High court rulings have required inmates who oppose an existing execution method to offer an alternative.
- mtarm@ap.org
Apr 22, 2024 · Learn about the authorized methods of execution in the U.S., including lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, and firing squad. Find out which states use firing squad as an alternative or primary method and how many executions have been carried out by this means since 1976.
May 19, 2021 · South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signed into law a bill that forces death row inmates to choose between the electric chair and a firing squad if lethal injection drugs aren't available.
