South Carolina

South Carolina may use firing squad as death penalty workaround

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would add firing squads as an additional method of execution to state law for murders sentenced to death.

[ALSO READ: South Carolina senators OK bill to revive electric chair; measure goes to House]

The House Criminal Laws subcommittee Thursday approved a Senate proposal that also changes the default execution method in the state to the electric chair.

South Carolina prison officials say they currently don't have the drugs for lethal injection and don't know when they will be able to obtain them.

Don Zelenka, who handles death penalty appeals for South Carolina, says there are currently 29 men on South Carolina death row.

[ALSO READ: SC Senate OKs bill making electrocution main execution method]

The bill has passed the Senate and if the House Judiciary Committee approves the proposal, it could pass the House before the Legislature adjourns May 9.

South Carolina's last execution was May 2011.