Death Penalty: Utah Legalizes Firing Squads For Execution in Response to Scarcity of Lethal Injection Drugs

By Isaiah Narciso 24 Mar, 2015 12:45 EDT

Death row prisoners in Utah could now face firing squads as a backup after the governor of that state signed a bill on Monday that allowed for the option to be available to them.

According to Steve Almasy and Dana Ford of CNN, Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued a statement that reaffirmed that lethal injections were the primary method for carrying out executions in his state. If the lethal drugs are not available, the firing squad would be deployed as a substitute.

"Those who voiced opposition to this bill are primarily arguing against capital punishment in general and that decision has already been made in our state," governor spokesman Marty Carpenter said. "We regret anyone ever commits the heinous crime of aggravated murder to merit the death penalty and we prefer to use our primary method of lethal injection when such a sentence is issued."

Carpenter added that "when a jury makes the decision and a judge signs a death warrant, enforcing that lawful decision is the obligation of the executive branch."

According to CNN, Utah banned death by firing squad in 2004. However, the last execution carried out by the state, which happened in 2010, was carried out by firing squad.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the governor, who is a Republican, argued that Utah needed a backup execution method in case the shortage of lethal injection drugs continued. The governor also noted that other states have alternative execution methods that are allowed in their legal systems.

"In Washington state, inmates can request hanging. In New Hampshire, hangings are fallback if lethal injections can't be given," AP wrote. "And an Oklahoma law would allow the state to use firing squads if lethal injections and electrocutions are ever declared unconstitutional."

The Associated Press reported that no such legal caveat exists in Utah's latest approval of firing squads. The bill's sponsor, state Rep. Paul Ray (R-Clearfield), argued that a team of trained marksmen was a more decent way to die as opposed to "drawn-out deaths" that can happen with both successful and failed lethal injections.

Death penalty opponents argued to the Associated Press that firing squads were barbaric. In addition, the American Civil Liberties Union described the execution practice detailed in Utah's bill as "backward and backwoods."

According to the Associated Press, the state does not currently have any lethal injection drugs on hand for the next execution. Death row inmates could get the firing squad if the state fails to secure such drugs 30 days before their execution date.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Death Penalty: Utah Legalizes Firing Squads For Execution in Response to Scarcity of Lethal Injection Drugs

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.