Mississippi Firing Squad Considered as Method of Execution

Mississippi is considering firing squad as a death penalty method for future executions, if lethal injections are no longer allowed in the state.

Mississippi lawmakers have issued a proposal for firing squad, electrocution and gas chamber execution methods to be allowed in the state, citing that the proposal is a proactive approach to the possibility that lethal injection drugs could be denied in future death penalty cases, according to The Associated Press.

This proposal, also known as House Bill 638, passed the House on Wednesday and will be reviewed by the Senate.

According to Republican Rep. Andy Gipson, the bill is a way of countering lawsuits made by “liberal, left-wing radicals,” the AP reported.

This comes amid a federal lawsuit that’s appeared to place a halt on executions in Mississippi, claiming that execution with lethal injection is unconstitutional, according to the New York Daily News.

The last time a Mississippi prisoner was executed was in 2012. There are 47 inmates on death row in the state.

“I have a constituent whose daughter was raped and killed by a serial killer over 25 years ago and that person’s still waiting for the death penalty. The family is still waiting for justice,” Gipson said, according to The Washington Post.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, if the new proposal is approved, then Mississippi will join Oklahoma and Utah as the only states that use firing squad as an execution method.

Mississippi would also become the ninth state to use electrocution as a death penalty method.

Attorney Jim Craig is suing Mississippi to prevent further executions with lethal injection drugs, The Washington Post noted. Craig said the state’s new proposal will experience resistance in court.

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