"Utah lawmakers vote to allow firing squad for carrying out death penalty"

This June 18, 2010, file photo shows the firing squad execution chamber at the Utah State Prison in Draper, Utah. Lawmakers passed a bill that would make it the only state to allow firing squads for carrying out a death penalty if there is a shortage of execution drugs. (AP Photo/Trent Nelson, File)

By Associated Press
on March 10, 2015 at 9:42 PM, updated March 10, 2015 at 9:44 PM

"SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah has passed a bill that would make it the only state to allow firing squads for carrying out a death penalty if there is a shortage of execution drugs.

"The bill's passage in the state Senate on Tuesday comes as states struggle to obtain lethal injection drugs amid a nationwide shortage.

"The legislation's sponsor, Republican Rep. Paul Ray of Clearfield, touted the measure as being a more humane form of execution. A team of trained marksmen is faster and more humane than the drawn-out deaths that have occurred in botched lethal injections, Ray said.

"The bill gives Utah options, he said. 'We would love to get lethal injection worked out so we can continue with that but if not, now we have a backup plan,' Ray told The Associated Press."

Read more:  http://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2015/03/utah_lawmakers_vote_to_allow_f.html
 http://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2015/03/utah_lawmakers_vote_to_allow_f.html


I don't understand this "shortage of execution drugs."  What special drugs have to be used and why?  Junkies are killing themselves all over the country with heroin and God-knows-what else.  What about Propofol, the anesthetic that killed Michael Jackson?  Give 'em a heavy dose and they drift off to dead land.  I agree with Utah's decision. That's the first thing I told a friend of mine - "Just shoot them."