Governor signs law that makes Utah the only state with firing squad
![Gov. Gary Herbert](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rXf2NVe2JCj8VFNiATiQEg-415-80.jpg)
On Monday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed a law that will allow firing squads to carry out executions if lethal injection drugs are not available. Herbert said the method is "a little bit gruesome," but allows the state to have a Plan B when it comes to executions. The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. Paul Ray of Clearfield, who said firing squads are a more humane form of execution, The Associated Press reports. Critics believe it is too brutal and puts Utah in a bad light.
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Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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