Capital punishment remains one of the most controversial and debated issues in the United States. While lethal injection has been the dominant method of execution for decades, a growing number of death row inmates are choosing the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair. This shift is due to a variety of legal, ethical, and practical concerns surrounding execution methods.

Recent cases, such as those of Brad Sigmon and Mikal Mahdi in South Carolina, highlight this trend and reignite discussions about the death penalty, human rights, and the effectiveness of capital punishment.

The History of Execution Methods in the U.S.

Historically, executions in the United States have evolved from hanging to electrocution, gas chambers, firing squads, and lethal injections.

• Hanging was the primary method in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• The electric chair gained popularity in the 20th century as a supposedly more humane alternative.
• Gas chambers were introduced but fell out of favor due to concerns about prolonged suffering.
• Lethal injection became the standard method starting in the 1980s, promoted as the most humane approach.
• Firing squads, once considered outdated, are now making a resurgence due to increasing problems with lethal injection drugs.

Why Are Inmates Choosing the Firing Squad?

1. Problems with Lethal Injection

Lethal injection has been the most commonly used execution method in the U.S. for the past 40 years, but it has faced significant challenges:

• Drug shortages: Pharmaceutical companies have restricted the sale of drugs used in executions, leading to untested or unreliable alternatives.
• Botched executions: Cases like Clayton Lockett (2014) and Doyle Hamm (2018) involved prolonged suffering due to failed attempts to insert IV lines or drug complications.
• Legal battles: Many death row inmates have challenged lethal injection protocols, arguing they cause cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth Amendment.

Because of these issues, some inmates believe the firing squad offers a quicker, more reliable death.

2. The Firing Squad: A Faster, More Certain Death?

The firing squad has been used sparingly in U.S. history, but proponents argue it is more effective than lethal injection:

• Instantaneous Death: When performed correctly, a well-aimed shot to the heart leads to rapid unconsciousness and death in seconds.
• Less Risk of Error: Unlike lethal injection, which depends on finding a viable vein and using the right drug mixture, the firing squad requires only accurate marksmanship.
• Less Pain Perceived: While the idea of death by bullets is disturbing, some experts argue it is less likely to result in prolonged suffering compared to botched lethal injections.

Recent Cases: Brad Sigmon and Mikal Mahdi

Brad Sigmon’s Execution by Firing Squad

Brad Sigmon was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat in 2002. After spending more than 20 years on death row, he was scheduled for execution in South Carolina. Due to problems obtaining lethal injection drugs, the state offered him the option of electrocution or firing squad—he chose the firing squad.

His case drew national attention, as it was one of the first times in modern history an inmate actively chose the firing squad over lethal injection. The execution was carried out in March 2025, with Sigmon sitting in a chair, strapped in, wearing a hood, and targeted by a team of trained marksmen.

Mikal Mahdi’s Firing Squad Execution

Mikal Mahdi, convicted of killing a police officer in 2007, also opted for the firing squad in South Carolina. His choice was seen as another sign that inmates view lethal injection as unreliable and potentially inhumane. His execution, like Sigmon’s, was conducted in a controlled and precise manner, following a set protocol designed to ensure immediate death.

Mahdi’s case fueled further legal debates, with some arguing that the increasing use of the firing squad is a sign that lethal injection is no longer a viable method of execution.

The Legal and Ethical Debate

The return of the firing squad has sparked intense debate among legal experts, human rights activists, and lawmakers.

1. Is the Firing Squad More Humane?

Supporters argue that it is quicker and less painful than lethal injection, which has a history of prolonged suffering in botched executions.

Opponents, however, see it as a step backward, calling it a barbaric method reminiscent of historical executions rather than modern justice.

2. Constitutional Challenges

The Eighth Amendment prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment.” Some legal experts argue that if lethal injection is no longer humane due to botched executions, then firing squads may actually be the more constitutional option.

3. The Future of Capital Punishment

With the growing difficulty of obtaining lethal injection drugs and increasing legal battles, some states may turn to firing squads as a standard method. South Carolina, Utah, and Oklahoma already allow it, and other states could follow.

However, states like California, New York, and Illinois have abolished the death penalty entirely, and activists continue to push for a nationwide ban.

Public Opinion on Execution Methods

Public opinion on capital punishment has shifted over the years:

• Support for the death penalty has declined, especially due to cases of wrongful convictions and racial bias in sentencing.
• Concerns over execution methods have grown, especially after highly publicized botched lethal injections.
• Some Americans support a “more humane” method, which is why the firing squad is being reconsidered.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for the Future of Capital Punishment

The cases of Brad Sigmon and Mikal Mahdi demonstrate a growing rejection of lethal injection in favor of the firing squad. While the firing squad has historically been seen as outdated, it is now being viewed as a practical alternative due to the failures of lethal injection.

This shift raises important questions:

• Will more states adopt the firing squad as lethal injection becomes unworkable?
• Should capital punishment be abolished entirely due to the problems with execution methods?
• Is the firing squad truly a more humane method, or just another form of state-sanctioned death?

At the heart of this debate is the fundamental question: Can the death penalty ever be truly humane? As states like South Carolina continue to use the firing squad, the future of executions in the U.S. remains uncertain.

For those interested in the realities of capital punishment and the criminal justice system, Paul Sanders’ books provide firsthand insights into high-profile cases, trials, and the experiences of jurors who decide the fate of the accused.

 Explore real-life courtroom dramas and the human side of justice at PaulSandersBooks.com