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.
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.
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.
