Utah Lawmaker Calls For Firing Squads
If the state can’t get get nice, calm lethal injections to kill people, let’s execute them by firing squad says one Utah lawmaker.
Rep. Paul Ray, a Republican from the northern Utah city of Clearfield, plans to introduce his proposal during Utah’s next legislative session in January. Lawmakers in Wyoming and Missouri floated similar ideas this year, but both efforts stalled. Ray, however, may succeed. Utah already has a tradition of execution by firing squad, with five police officers using .30-caliber Winchester rifles to execute Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010, the last execution by rifle to be held in the state.
Ray argues the controversial method may seem more palatable now, especially as states struggle to maneuver lawsuits and drug shortages that have complicated lethal injections.
“It sounds like the Wild West, but it’s probably the most humane way to kill somebody,” Ray said.
fahvel May 17th, 2014 at 11:40 am
fine with me if he uses his own head as a warm up – just to make sure the real killers don’t miss.