Utah may bring back firing squad

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah, the only state in the past 40 years to carry out a death sentence by firing squad, may bring back the Old Weststyle executions if the state cannot track down drugs used in lethal injections.

The Republican- controlled state legislature gave final approval to the proposal Tuesday night, with lawmakers billing it as a backup plan as states struggle to find execution drugs amid a nationwide shortage.

If the governor signs the measure, Utah would become the only state to allow executions by firing squad if there is a drug shortage.