The Controversial Proposal: Firing Squad as Arizona's Execution Method
Tuesday saw the triumphant initial passing of a contentious Republican proposal set to alter the Arizona Constitution. The proposed shift seeks to adopt firing squad executions in place of lethal injections. If it ultimately sails through both legislative chambers, voters will have a say in 2026.
Proposal Initiated by Rep. Alexander Kolodin
The chief sponsor of this bill, Scottsdale Republican Rep. Alexander Kolodin, repeatedly emphasized to his peers in the House Committee on Regulatory Oversight that his proposal wasn't fabricated out of thin air. Quite the contrary, it’s motivated by an independent examination of the death penalty that Gov. Katie Hobbs commissioned but later discontinued.
Difficulties in Drug Procurement for Lethal Injections
The nitty-gritty of the discontinued report, penned by retired federal Magistrate Judge David Duncan, sketched out the intimidating array of problems the state has bumped into in their quest to secure the drug used in lethal injections. As it happens, Governor Hobbs enlisted Duncan after entering office in January 2023. He was, however, dismissed in November 2024.
Final Execution under Rep. Doug Ducey
Indeed, the last state execution happened under the watch of Republican Governor Doug Ducey. Multiple advocates and judges, including Duncan, have openly endorsed the application of firing squads as a viable option for carrying out executions in a more empathetic manner.
Potential Advantages of Firing Squads
Duncan concluded that while lethal injection might seem to be pain-free and humane, in reality, it's chock-full of potential problems; it's fundamentally flawed, challenging to implement, and uncomfortably prone to errors.
Moreover, he pointed out that regardless of the chosen method, all executions are in essence violent. Kolodin also tagged in retired federal judge Alex Kozinski, who suggested in a 2014 Wall Street Journal piece that firing squads should make a comeback due to their foolproof nature as compared to lethal injections.
Addressing the Real and Immediate Problem
A hearing with the committee saw participation from Conservatives Concerned About The Death Penalty, a group advocating conservative ideologies that have been strongly urging legislators nationwide to revisit capital punishment. The state strategist from the group, Nicholas Cote, confronted the committee with the suggestion that Kolodin's proposal does nothing to address the ticking time bomb – the challenges impacting the lethal injection procedure.
A secret shrouds the drug used in the state's executions. This hidden complexity obstructs procurement and transparency. Cote opined that "enshrining this into the constitution seems to court disaster," adding that the firing squad method has had less than five outings in contemporary times, primarily within Utah where it was reinstated in 2015.
Firing Squads Gaining Nationwide Attention
Parallel efforts to reintroduce firing squads as a legitimate execution method are cropping up elsewhere. Lawmakers in Idaho are pushing to make it the de facto execution method. Recently, a Georgia inmate's petition to have his death penalty sentence carried out by a firing squad instead of lethal injection was dismissed. Additionally, former President Donald Trump also declared his support for firing squads.
Considering the Potential Trauma to Correctional Officers
A former correctional officer testified before the lawmakers, voicing her concerns about the emotional toll that firing squad executions might inflict on correctional officers. "I've been responsible for someone's death, and I can assure you, that memory never fades," she said, revealing her battle with PTSD-induced chronic nightmares from her military service.
Pointing out that the state already struggles with retaining correctional officers, she expressed her fears that including them in firing squads could exacerbate the situation. Yet, the Republicans did not seem overly influenced by these tense and loaded concerns.
Potential Impact on the State's Budget and Execution Protocol
For Committee Chairman Rep. Joseph Chaplik, it all boils down to cost. Using a firing squad would be more cost-effective than acquiring lethal injection drugs. "Our job here is to trim down the state's budget, and I think a firing squad is a less expensive method to execute,” the Scottsdale Republican relayed.
Kolodin's resolution would sustain the existing language in the constitution permitting death row inmates who committed their crimes prior to November 23, 1992, to elect to die by the gas chamber. This rule gained approval along party lines and will next be set before the full House for voting. If it passes in both chambers, it will ultimately head to the ballot in 2026.
Originally Post From https://azmirror.com/briefs/arizona-gop-lawmakers-advance-firing-squad-execution-proposal/
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