Utah governor says he’ll likely approve firing squad bill

Author: Associated Press
Published:
MGN

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Utah’s governor says he’s leaning toward signing a proposal that would make his state the only one to allow firing squad executions if lethal injection drugs are unavailable.

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert says Utah is a capital punishment state and needs a backup method to carry out executions if a shortage of lethal injection drugs continues.

However, he says he doesn’t think the state will need to use the firing squad because there are ways to obtain the drugs. He didn’t elaborate.

The governor made the remarks Thursday at his monthly news conference televised on KUED-TV.

It’s unclear when he’ll officially sign the bill. He has until April 1 to make the decision.

Utah lawmakers passed the measure last week amid a nationwide shortage of lethal injection drugs.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.