Firing squads are back

[SM610]

How about this - someone doesn't have to pul the trigger...

A stationary 50 cal with a laser sight and a bunch of remote trigers. Walk the lucky guy into the red dot, and walk away...

Actually you could sell the right to fire remotely online. With multiple lotto winners and no one knowing for sure if their ENTER button did it or the other guys DELETE button did. No video. Victims family gets the proceeds. Well anyway, might make a good movie.

 

[Kornholio]

I think you'd have to.

The thing about blanks is, they change the nature of the recoil entirely (different powder, no projectile), and you tend to get more fouling and flash.

An experienced shooter (and you're not going to put anyone else in on an execution) will know the difference.

I know this. I can tell...that's why I said why not just change the grain?

Last Army firing squad was 1945.

The last time it was used was 1945. It hasn't been eliminated as a method of execution.

 

[tzrider]

I know this. I can tell...that's why I said why not just change the grain?

I suppose if they used an uncommon rifle that the shooters weren't familiar with they might not be able to tell, but that's probably not practical. Kind of silly to give one guy a blank anyway. If they're all on the firing squad, presumably they're willing to shoot the condemned.

 

[Kornholio]

I suppose if they used an uncommon rifle that the shooters weren't familiar with they might not be able to tell, but that's probably not practical. Kind of silly to give one guy a blank anyway. If they're all on the firing squad, presumably they're willing to shoot the condemned.

At least in the Army, you'd be assigned.

 

[tzrider]

At least in the Army, you'd be assigned.

You don't get the choice to clean a latrine instead?

 

[RRR70]

You don't get the choice to clean a latrine instead?

Or burn shit.

 

[Kornholio]

You don't get a choice on much of anything.

 

[Marlowe]

I know this. I can tell...that's why I said why not just change the grain?

Rifle powders are slower burning, and that doesn't work without a projectile since you just turn it into a gritty flame thrower. (Powder will leave the bore before it's burnt.)

For a blank load you want a faster burning (pistol) powder, and throwing a heavy charge of that in a rifle isn't a good idea. Primer might back out, or worse, burn through, which could cause problems.

Basically, it's just not safe, and while you don't care about the safety of the dude in front of the rifle, you do about those volunteers behind them.

 

[tzrider]

Apparently now they're putting a wax plug in the blank so it gives more realistic recoil.

 

[Marlowe]

Apparently now they're putting a wax plug in the blank so it gives more realistic recoil.

Usually it's just there to retain the charge, and you notice when it flies out a few feet and stops.