GOP Lawmaker: We Haven't Messed Up A Firing Squad Since The 19th Century

A GOP state lawmaker in favor of bringing back firing squad executions stood by his plan on Monday night.

In an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Utah state Rep. Paul Ray (R) explained that firing squads have a long history of success.

“The only mess-up we had was in 1897, and we’ve got it right every time since then," Ray said.

Last Saturday, the Associated Press detailed Ray's proposal to revive the practice in his state, as he argues it is the "most humane" option. The death penalty has been under scrutiny since April 29, when Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett died after problems emerged during a lethal injection procedure.

“I mean, you’re not going to mess up a firing squad, right?” Hannity asked Ray. “What did you think in Oklahoma when the drugs didn’t work?”

“I don’t know if you can call it botched because he still died," Ray told Hannity.

(H/T TPM)