Legislation has been introduced that would add the use of a firing squad to the methods of execution the state could use in carrying out the death penalty.

The bill offered by Representative Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) would have the director of the department of corrections select five law enforcement officers to make up the firing squad if that is the method of execution to be used.

Missouri law currently allows for executions to be carried out by lethal injection or lethal gas. Lethal gas has not been used in Missouri since 1965. 69 people have been executed by lethal injection since 1989.

The legislation is HB 1470.