Firing squad, nitrogen gas proposed as execution alternatives

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's attorney general is asking lawmakers to approve the firing squad, electrocution or nitrogen gas as alternate methods of execution in case the state is prevented from doing lethal injections.

Democrat Jim Hood also says he wants to block public access to names of people who sell lethal injection drugs to the state and those who help carry out executions.

States are struggling to obtain execution drugs since European pharmaceutical companies began blocking the use of their products for lethal injections.

Executions are on hold in Mississippi because the state's supply of lethal injection drugs expired. In October, Ohio delayed executions for a year while it searches for the drugs. Last spring, Oklahoma approved nitrogen gas and Utah approved the firing squad as alternate methods of execution if the drugs are unavailable.