South Carolina considering firing squad for execution during lethal drug shortage

The default execution method could also become the electric chair

The execution chamber at the Utah State Prison is seen after Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by a firing squad in June 2010 (REUTERS)

South Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would add firing squads to the state’s existing execution methods - because there aren't enough drugs for lethal injections.

The House Criminal Laws subcommittee approved a senate proposal on Thursday that also changes South Carolina’s default execution method to the electric chair.

Lawmakers acted after prison officials told them they didn’t have the drugs needed for lethal injection and don't know when they will be able to obtain them.

US states have struggled to purchase drugs for lethal injection as drug companies oppose the use of their products to kill people, and some are scrambling to find new execution methods.

Three other states – Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah – already allow the choice of a firing squad if lethal injection isn’t available, while nine others allow for electrocution if the primary choice of lethal injection isn’t available.

Republican state Senator Greg Hembree, who is a supporter of the proposal, said earlier this year that drug companies weren’t selling South Carolina the chemicals needed to carry out lethal injections because they feared legal challenges.

There are currently 29 prisoners on death row in South Carolina, although the last execution in the state took place in 2011.

The bill passed the state Senate earlier this year, and if the House Judiciary Committee approves it, it could pass the House before the legislature adjourns on 9 May.