(PCM) Execution by firing squad is a cause of death that one would have assumed has not been practiced in a good number of years, however there is still an active bill in the state of Utah that permits this particular style of execution.
The state of Utah previously banned firing squad executions back in 2004, however the last one that occurred on record in the state was only back in 2010. Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert just recently approved a bill to bring back execution by firing squad only in the event that proper drugs for a lethal injection can not be obtained.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Herbert explains the decision by saying “We regret anyone ever commits the heinous crime of aggravated murder to merit the death penalty and we prefer to use our primary method of lethal injection when such a sentence is issued. However, when a jury makes the decision and a judge signs a death warrant, enforcing that lawful decision is the obligation of the executive branch.”
It seems that there is currently a nationwide shortage of lethal injection drugs, so that is another reason why Gov. Herbert has approved the firing squad bill despite it being a both outdated and quite gruesome. The firing squad execution would only come into play if the prison could not obtain the lethal injection drugs 30 days prior to the scheduled execution date for the inmate.
