# Pro-death-penalty types: would you be willing to act as executioner? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898 "2010-11-16T19:30:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/1 "2010-11-16T19:30:58Z")
For purposes of this discussion, you may count yourself pro-capital punishment if there are circumstances under which you think the death penalty is just, even if you think those circumstance are rare. And no bitching because I’m not including an option for persons who categorically oppose the death penalty. Such are welcome to post in the thread, but really, their answer to the poll question itself is obvious. Poll coming in a second. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/2 "2010-11-16T19:34:30Z")
Yes. Even though I think that the circumstances are rare, I would not have an issue with pushing the button, pulling the trigger, etc… I would have to be satisfied as to the guilt of the individual to be executed though. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/3 "2010-11-16T19:38:39Z")
Yes. I would much rather that we make it easy- I don’t want to have to memorize a 395 page manual- Just give me the gun, and tell me who. I would also have to be satisfied with the guilt, but that shouldn’t be difficult. If it isn’t easy to determine the guilt, then they shouldn’t be in the death penalty queue. Too easy to frame somebody. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/4 "2010-11-16T19:44:40Z")
I voted _Yes, so long as I am allowed to opt out if not convinced the crime merits death_. Most crimes that result in the death penalty are deserving, but I’d want to hear what the crime was just to feel a little better about it. If I had no idea what the crime was, I’d feel a little weird about it. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/5 "2010-11-16T20:31:34Z")
I would do it myself with few qualifications if I thought the crime deserved it. I don’t understand why some people get in such a tizzy about execution details and ethical qualms. I would do the job by myself for the whole country if it paid well. That would be a sweet deal. If they need to die, I might as get something out of it. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/6 "2010-11-16T20:50:30Z")
Yup, I’ll push the button - but I’d prefer it be something like impersonal like being on the other side of a two-way mirror and remotely pressing the button for a lethal injection. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/7 "2010-11-16T20:53:52Z")
I think if I had the job I would want to know as little as possible about the case. I don’t think I could manage setting myself up as a secondary judge, I would prefer simply showing up when it was time and injecting whatever solution into the IV. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/8 "2010-11-16T21:02:50Z")
I voted “no” (the only one so far). I agree with capital punishment. Once sentenced, the state has the obligation to perform the sentence. I figure that there’ll be enough other volunteers to do the actual deed (if there _weren’t_, then I suppose I could resign myself to the task). I have no personal problem shooting food or defending myself from a threat with lethel force, though. I’ve not bothered to think about the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/9 "2010-11-16T21:15:59Z")
I’m about as strong a proponent as you’ll find for appropriate use of the death penalty, but I voted no. Simply put, it’s precisely because of how highly I value life that I support the death penalty, but also why I am utterly unable to end it, no matter how appropriate. For instance, in conversations where “pulling the plug” has come up, I have specifically told everyone that it’s their choice, but don’t put me in charge of signing a DNR or whatever, because I simply can’t. When various pets have been euthanized, even knowing they were in pain, I simply couldn’t condone the choice to do so. I’d like to believe that there are others willing to do so for the lawfulness, and considering it occurs now, I don’t see why that wouldn’t continue to be the case. It’s hard to say how I might react in such an unrealistic situation that I’m the only one able to do so or it doesn’t happen, as both justice and life are essentially my only two absolutes, but I’d think I ought to be able to do it, provided it is as humane as possible. I certainly wouldn’t want to know any specifics beyond that he was convicted of murder. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/10 "2010-11-16T22:11:33Z")
I would do it provided it was a painless death. I don’t really want to know anything about the crime beyond he was convicted by a jury of his peers or confessed to a crime that required being put to death. I don’t want to play a second judge and jury since that makes me responsible if there was a mistake. In fact I would have more trouble voting to put someone to death as a member of a jury then pulling a trigger as an executioner. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/11 "2010-11-16T22:28:47Z")
Awaiting the tandem poll: “Anti-death penalty types, would you be willing to work as a guard in a prison unit full of convicted murderers serving life without the possibility of parole?” ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/12 "2010-11-16T22:52:19Z")
I selected the middle 2 options, seemingly the most popular ones. I’m generally against the DP because of the associated questions surrounding certainty, but if I am fully convinced the guy did it and it was a heinous crime, then I’d usually be all for it. In real life though, we can never really be certain of most things, except Hitler. I’m reserving my turn as executioner for the Hitlers of the world ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/13 "2010-11-17T00:16:18Z")
I assist with animal euthanasia frequently. As far as I’m concerned, lethal injection is a damn nice way to go. I know there are arguments about lethal injection, the drugs used, and whether they cause brain death soon enough to keep the prisoner from suffering. I’m not convinced. An overdose of pentobarbital is fast - really fast. I haven’t been interested enough in the subject to research why they use the drugs they use, but as far as I’m concerned, hand me the syringe of pentobarb for the prisoner, I’ll have no problem injecting it as long as I’m convinced of his/her guilt. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/14 "2010-11-17T00:53:52Z")
I voted yes, with the opt outs for “not convinced of guilt” and “don’t think crime merits death.” ---
**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:** [November 17, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/15 "2010-11-17T02:16:32Z")
You left out my answer, which was simply “Yes”. All of your affirmative answers had qualifiers. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/16 "2010-11-17T02:20:24Z")
Yes, with the common qualifications(guilt dependent, not overly gory, and so forth). How could anyone support something they are unwilling to do or participate in? I would not mind being the only executioner, either. I guess I wouldn’t want my name released in case the family of the executed takes vengeance or something, but I have no problem doing the execution. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/17 "2010-11-17T02:25:38Z")
Yup, and I voted for them all. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/18 "2010-11-17T03:03:04Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Yup, and I voted for them all. same here. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/19 "2010-11-17T05:00:22Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Yup, and I voted for them all. Some of them are contradictory… ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898/20 "2010-11-17T05:09:59Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > How could anyone support something they are unwilling to do or participate in? Being in support of something does not mean you yourself must do it. Do you think if one supports gay marriage they must marry someone of the same sex? My answer to the OP would just be a plain “Yes,” but since you added the qualifiers I voted for “unless I don’t think the crime merits death” and “if my identity is not released.” People on death row most likely have acquaintances of similar moral qualities and I would not want one of them coming after me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-death-penalty-types-would-you-be-willing-to-act-as-executioner/560898.md?page=2)