WELCOME TO 1830: South Carolina House adds firing squad to execution methods

[634-5789]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House voted Wednesday to add a firing squad to the state’s execution methods amid a lack of lethal-injection drugs — a measure meant to jump-start executions in a state that once had one of the busiest death chambers in the nation.

The bill, approved by a 66-43 vote, will require condemned inmates to choose either being shot or electrocuted if lethal injection drugs aren’t available. The state is one of only nine to still use the electric chair and will become only the fourth to allow a firing squad.

South Carolina last executed a death row inmate 10 years ago Thursday.

The Senate already had approved the bill in March, by a vote of 32-11. The House only made minor technical changes to that version, meaning that after a routine final vote in the House and a signoff by the Senate, it will go to Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who has said he will sign it.

There are several prisoners in line to be executed. Corrections officials said three of South Carolina’s 37 death row inmates are out of appeals. But lawsuits against the new death penalty rules are also likely.

https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-executions-a6bbef9c9a85b248f5bc7c0c57ad0cbe

[Sneederbunk]

1. Remember, this is a state that threatened to secede from the Confederacy.

[CanonRay]

2. James Petigru said it best

"South Carolina is too small for a Republic and too large for an insane asylum". Still true.

[Layzeebeaver]

3. Might as well add the guillotine

And also perhaps being buried neck deep in sand with honey dripping on your head with a nest of fire ants nearby

[Buckeyeblue]

4. Picking your method of death reminds me of a dirty joke from my youth...

I would refuse to pick a method. Nor would I willing walk to the death chamber. I don't understand why condemned people are so cooperative. They would have to drag me kicking, scratching, spitting, biting, cursing to my death. I'd want to make a spectacle of the event.

[Goonch]

5. South Carolina Sen. Graham Offered Cost Saving Solution

[DURHAM D]

6. If a male to be executed has committed crimes against a woman I hope

that the squad will consist of females only.