# Could YOU Serve on a Firing Squad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786 "2010-06-19T17:53:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/21 "2010-06-19T23:29:21Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I could do it. And for that kind of money, I probably would. Assuming business is good, in 2-3 years I will have saved what I like to call “Kiss My Ass Money”–ie, enough to cover me for the rest of my life **even if I don’t want to hit a lick at a snake** , so I can tell the world to kiss my ass. Could you run that part by me again? ---
**Author:** ![Telcontar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Telcontar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telcontar)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/22 "2010-06-19T23:38:00Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > For that kind of money I wouldn’t even think twice about it. For less money I would at least want to look over the case to convince myself that their guilty but for for over a million a year I’d take the justice system’s word in it and enjoy every penny of my blood money. Agree. I’m generally opposed to the death penalty, but my objections are systemic rather than particular. I’m quite willing to believe that the people who actually make it to the execution line well deserve to be there, and I see no reason to be overly squeamish about it. The psychological consequences of killing are highly situational and I think I could maintain a sufficient degree of detachment that there wouldn’t be any substantial ill effects. Besides, I could always quit. > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I’d take that deal in a heart beat. Executions typically happen around midnight (why the hell is that?), so I wouldn’t even have to quit my day job. They happen at midnight so, in the event of a last minute stay, they have 24 hours to resolve the issue before having to reschedule the execution. At least, that’s what I’ve always heard. Apparently there’s red tape if it’s a new calender day, but not for a few hours. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_Cello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Clark\_Cello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_Cello)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/23 "2010-06-19T23:48:09Z")
No, I wouldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/24 "2010-06-20T01:07:34Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Could you run that part by me again? There’s an old saying-He wouldn’t hit a lick at a snake about to bite him.-indicating extreme laziness. It may be a Southern thing. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/25 "2010-06-20T01:18:58Z")
I love shooting guns, but I could never shoot one at another human being, no matter how despicable said person is. It’s just not my place to cause human suffering. And to add a bit to the side conversation, in my line of work, “hit a lick” means something entirely different. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/26 "2010-06-20T01:42:10Z")
I have thought about this over the years since college and Gary Gilmore; my answer has fluctuated over the years but not very much. As a job, probably not. As a civic function or duty, probably. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/27 "2010-06-20T01:43:12Z")
Yes, sure. I am opposed to the death penalty, but I simply lack the courage of my convictions. It seems people sit up at night and think of ways to deserve to die. When faced with some fool who did something awful, I am unable to resist the urge to give him what he deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/28 "2010-06-20T01:50:16Z")
Yes. I have no problem with the death penalty (though I do have some issues with the way the process is currently implemented). Yeah, I suppose it’s possible that it will scar me for life, but as I type this i really \*really \*don’t think I’d have a problem with pulling the trigger. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/29 "2010-06-20T02:09:21Z")
Well, I’ll be the first one (I think) to say that no, I am opposed to the death penalty, pure and simple, and I wouldn’t take a job that would go against my core beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/30 "2010-06-20T02:15:58Z")
I think I could, but I’ll admit that could be internet bravado speaking. I wouldn’t really know if I could until I was in the situation. But I actually have done some thinking about this since starting nursing school. Could I be the one to hang the drip and place the IV for a lethal injection? Looked at logically, there’s the, “well, if not me, someone else will,” angle. That’s pretty persuasive. Civically, I believe that if one supports the concept of the death penalty (even while acknowledging the flaws in the, uh, execution of it) one should be willing to do the deed. Much as I feel omnivores should be willing to kill their own animals for food, should the need arise. Anything less feels hypocritical. Also, I figure either the atheists are right or one of the religions is. Either his (generally his) life is over and that’s it, so there’s no more pain and suffering (either caused by or experienced by him), or he’s dead and he’ll be reincarnated or he’s dead and Gods will sort it out. Finally, I would say a prayer for his soul, just on the off case he has one, and I’d be there as witness to whatever humanity he has. I’d attempt to perform the act with great respect. And were I in his place, I’d rather have an executioner who did the same, rather than one who shot me with a heart full of hate. So logically, religiously and emotionally, I think I’m the woman for the job. Still don’t know if I could do it 'till I’m there, though. All of this is based on more than an “accusation”, of course. I’m assuming he’s been through trials and appeals, as well. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/31 "2010-06-20T02:29:45Z")
Yes. By the time a person has reached this point they are doomed. As an excellent marksman, I feel I would be doing them a service by ensuring a quick, merciful death. Leave it to God to decide whether they were deserving or not. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/32 "2010-06-20T04:00:42Z")
I could. But I wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/33 "2010-06-20T04:08:00Z")
Hell no. I’m deeply opposed to the death penalty and I’m also pretty sure that killing another person in cold blood would scar me for life. I could never take that job, not for any amount of money. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/34 "2010-06-20T04:27:32Z")
Hell no. Moral certainties are hard to come by, but one of them is that capital punishment is wrong. I know that for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/35 "2010-06-20T04:31:55Z")
I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be a soldier, either; I’d have to go Conscientious Objector. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/36 "2010-06-20T04:37:26Z")
No, I couldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/37 "2010-06-20T04:38:33Z")
> [@Enfant Terrible](#): > > …only **even for that kind of money** I’d look over every single case like it was my sole purpose in life. Bolding mine. I know this thread is a hypothetical, but i think the OP poisoned the well by making up such stupid, inflated income levels for the job. Especially since current discussions of the topic are clearly inspired by current events in Utah, where i’m pretty sure the people firing those guns don’t get anything like that sort of money. Why not just ask the question, without adding fairy-story financial remuneration to the equation? I think that would have been just as interesting, if not more so. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/38 "2010-06-20T06:39:00Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Bolding mine. > > I know this thread is a hypothetical, but i think the OP poisoned the well by making up such stupid, inflated income levels for the job. Especially since current discussions of the topic are clearly inspired by current events in Utah, where i’m pretty sure the people firing those guns don’t get anything like that sort of money. > > Why not just ask the question, without adding fairy-story financial remuneration to the equation? I think that would have been just as interesting, if not more so. I’ll happily pass on the 100K bonus. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/39 "2010-06-20T07:11:03Z")
No way in hell. I’m opposed to the death penalty on practical and ethical grounds, but even beyond that, I’m just such a wimp when it comes to stuff like that. I don’t kill bugs and I get quite upset when I see roadkill. So I’m pretty sure that this would not be the job for me. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2010, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786/40 "2010-06-20T07:22:53Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Yes, sure. > > I am opposed to the death penalty, but I simply lack the courage of my convictions. It seems people sit up at night and think of ways to deserve to die. When faced with some fool who did something awful, I am unable to resist the urge to give him what he deserves. Even though I don’t agree with it, it doesn’t really BOTHER me to hear of someone who is just plain evil being executed. I mean someone who deliberately tortured their victim or whatever, a sadistic sociopath. But a lot of them did something really, really stupid and bad…but not evil. And even then we don’t always know 100% for sure that they did it. Anyone who is all for doing this job must either have a lot more faith in the justice system than I do, or just doesn’t really care all that much if they kill a potentially innocent person. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-serve-on-a-firing-squad/543786.md?page=3)