Inmates will have to choose either being shot or electrocuted if lethal injection drugs aren't available South Caroline will become the fourth state to allow a firing squad.
South Caroline will become the fourth state to allow a firing squad Three of South Carolina's 37 death row inmates are out of appeals.
South Carolina can't put anyone to death now because its supply of lethal-injection drugs expired and it has not been able to buy any more.
The state is one of only nine to still use the electric chair and will become the fourth to allow a firing squad.
South Carolina last executed a death row inmate 10 years ago on Thursday.
The South Carolina bill retains lethal injection as the primary method of execution if the state has the drugs, but requires prison officials to use the electric chair or firing squad if it doesn't.
"This bill doesn’t deal with the merits or the propriety of whether we should have a death penalty in South Carolina," the congressman said. »