Death By Firing Squad? One State Bringing Back Archaic Execution Method

South Carolina could become the fourth state to legalize execution by firing squad for death row inmates. On Wednesday, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow prisoners to choose whether they will die by electrocution or a firing squad if lethal injection drugs weren’t available.

The legislation was approved in a 66-43 vote. The move comes amid issues of states nationwide facing difficulties obtaining the drugs necessary to carry out lethal injections on death row inmates.

Currently, in South Carolina, inmates on death row have two options to die from either the electric chair or lethal injection. However, for those who choose lethal injection, the state cannot proceed with the execution.

South Carolina hasn’t had an execution since 2011. “Those families of victims to these capital crimes are unable to get any closure because we are caught in this limbo stage where every potential appeal has been exhausted and the legally imposed sentences cannot be carried out,” said Republican Weston Newton.

However, there are people that are against the passing of the bill. Of the 37 inmates on death row, three have run out of the option to file appeals.

“Three living, breathing human beings with a heartbeat that this bill is aimed at killing,” said Democratic Justin Bamberg. “If you push the green button at the end of the day and vote to pass this bill out of this body, you may as well be throwing the switch yourself.”

While the bill maintains that lethal injection should be used as the main method of execution, it requires prison officials to use the firing squad or electrocution if the drugs aren’t available.

Although the Senate passed a similar version of the bill in March, the House must approve the language of the legislation before it is sent to the governor to be signed into law.