History and Practice of Firing Squads

Which of the following U.S. states still had firing squads on the books as of 2023?

• New York

• California

• Texas

• Idaho

Before the invention of gunpowder, what method was used in place of firearms for executions?

• Catapults

• Crossbows

• Slingshots

• Bows and arrows

Who was the Roman military captain famously martyred by arrows?

• Saint Sebastian

• Saint Paul

• Saint John

• Saint Peter

Which civilization first used gunpowder for warfare?

• Greeks

• Egyptians

• Chinese

• Romans

What is one symbolic reason for using firing squads in the military?

• To save ammunition

• To reinforce collective supremacy over the individual

• To ensure a slow death

• To honor the condemned

During which war were 11 German spies executed at the Tower of London?

• The Napoleonic Wars

• World War II

• The Crimean War

• World War I

Which revolutionary leader's regime became infamous for using firing squads?

• Vladimir Lenin

• Mao Zedong

• Fidel Castro

• Che Guevara

What is one reason for the resurgence of firing squads in the U.S.?

• International pressure

• Issues with lethal injections

• Public demand

• Cost-effectiveness

Which Supreme Court Justice has called for a return to firing squads?

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg

• Clarence Thomas

• Elena Kagan

• Sonia Sotomayor

According to a study, what percentage of firing squad executions were botched between 1890 and 2010?

• 3%

• 7%

• 2%

• 0%