Wyoming Lawmaker Proposes Firing Squad for Executions

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming lawmaker is pushing a bill to allow use of the firing squad to execute condemned state inmates if constitutional problems or other issues prevent using lethal injection.

Republican Sen. Bruce Burns of Sheridan says state law calls for using a gas chamber if lethal injection is unavailable. Some states have had problems finding drugs for lethal injections.

Burns says Wyoming doesn't have a gas chamber ready and says using a firing squad would be cheaper. Utah has allowed inmates to choose the firing squad.

Richard Dieter is executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, D.C.

Dieter says Wyoming could face c