As drugs for execution become scarcer, Utah moves closer to legalizing an alternative - firing squads - after the state senate approved a bill.

Although this execution method had been previously legal, opponents of the bill say it would make Utah appear backward. The state's Republican governor has not said whether he will sign the bill.

On Tuesday, the Utah state senate followed the state house in approving a bill that would legalize firing squads for executions, according to the Associated Press.

Firing squads will only be an option when drugs are not available for executions. Drugs have become increasingly harder to find, and states that allow executions continue to find alternative ways to carry out the sentences.

The state senate voted 18 in favor and 10 against, with four Republicans voting with Democrats against the bill.

Originally introduced by GOP Rep. Paul Ray, the bill passed the state house with a slim majority. However, Rep. Ray sees it as necessary.

"We would love to get the lethal injection worked out so we can continue with that but if not, now we have a backup plan," he told the AP.

The office of Utah's Republican governor, Gary Herbert, released a statement to Fox 13 concerning the bill. It did not explain whether the governor would sign the bill into law, explaining the governor's office does not announce his decision until after he has reviewed a bill.

"In the state of Utah, aggravated murder is a crime punishable by death," the office said. "This is a sentence that was determined to be appropriate for crimes where a life was taken in an especially heinous and aggravated manner and was enacted by our Legislature with the support of their constituents," the statement explained, adding that it is the state's duty to carry out this sentence.

"Our statute is clear that lethal injection is the method by which that will happen. We have no intent to change that."

The statement continued to explain the state's Dept. of Corrections will enforce the law and is attempting to find more drugs for executions.

"However, if those substances cannot be obtained, this proposal would make sure that those instructed to carry out the lawful order of the court and the carefully deliberated decision of the jury can do so," the governor's office said.

The last Utah citizen executed by firing squad was Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010. He was sentenced to death before 2004, when a law allowing death row inmates to choose death by firing squad was changed, according to NBC News.

His brother, Randy Gardner, told NBC News his brother chose a firing squad to show the brutality of the death penalty.

Although the law only allows for the firing squad to be used if drugs are unavailable, this is increasingly becoming the case. CNN reports Texas is having trouble finding drugs for executions as its inventory dries up.