As of now, only a few states in the United States still allow hanging and the firing squad as methods of execution. These methods are considered outdated and are rarely used, but they remain legal in certain states as alternatives to lethal injection.
Currently, three states allow hanging as a method of execution: Delaware, New Hampshire, and Washington. However, it’s important to note that Delaware and Washington have not carried out an execution by hanging in many years, and New Hampshire has not executed anyone since 1939.
Regarding the firing squad, three states also allow this method: Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah. Utah is the most recent state to use the firing squad, with the last execution by this method taking place in 2010.
These methods are typically used only when lethal injection is not available or if the inmate chooses an alternative method. The use of hanging and the firing squad is highly controversial and has been the subject of significant legal and ethical debates.