Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a landmark bill making firing squads the preferred method of execution for death row inmates, establishing Idaho as the only state in America where bullets are now the government’s first choice for carrying out capital punishment.
Key Takeaways
- Idaho is now the only U.S. state to designate firing squad as its preferred method of execution, effective in 2025.
- The decision follows a botched lethal injection attempt on death row inmate Thomas Eugene Creech in February 2024.
- Idaho currently has nine inmates on death row but hasn’t executed anyone in over a dozen years.
- The law could apply to Bryan Kohberger if he’s convicted and sentenced to death for the University of Idaho murders.
- Four other states allow firing squads as backup methods: Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah.
A Return to Traditional Execution Methods
In a decisive move that pushes back against the complications of modern execution methods, Idaho has become the first state in the nation to adopt firing squad as its primary means of capital punishment. Governor Brad Little signed the bill into law on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in how the state approaches the death penalty. While Idaho had previously approved firing squads as a backup method in 2023, this new legislation elevates it to the preferred option, with lethal injection remaining available as an alternative. The law will take effect next year, giving prison officials time to prepare for this fundamental change in execution protocol.
Over two-thirds of Idaho’s Republican-controlled legislature supported the bill, reflecting strong conservative backing for what many see as a more reliable method of carrying out death sentences. The move comes shortly after South Carolina conducted its first firing squad execution in 15 years, suggesting a potential national trend away from increasingly problematic lethal injection protocols. For many conservatives, this represents a common-sense solution to the administrative hurdles that have effectively stonewalled capital punishment in many states, allowing convicted murderers to indefinitely avoid their sentences through procedural delays.
Failed Lethal Injections Prompted the Change
The catalyst for Idaho’s legislative change was a particularly disturbing incident in February 2024, when the state attempted to execute Thomas Eugene Creech by lethal injection. Medical personnel spent approximately two hours trying to establish an IV line before they were forced to abandon the procedure. This high-profile failure exposed the growing difficulties states face in administering lethal injections, including drug shortages as pharmaceutical companies refuse to supply medications for executions and the increasing challenge of finding qualified medical personnel willing to participate in the procedure.
“One thing about this method, it’s pretty sure. It’s not going to be something that gets done part way.” – Sen. Doug Ricks
Bill sponsor Senator Doug Ricks has argued that firing squad executions are not only more reliable but potentially more humane than botched lethal injections that can leave inmates suffering for extended periods. The Idaho Department of Corrections has already begun remodeling its execution chamber to accommodate firing squad protocols. Rather than viewing this as a step backward, supporters see it as a practical solution to ensure that justice is served efficiently for the most heinous criminals, eliminating the uncertainty and prolonged legal battles that have characterized the modern death penalty landscape.
High-Profile Murder Cases Could Test New Protocol
The timing of Idaho’s execution method change is particularly significant given the ongoing murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in a case that has drawn national attention. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Kohberger, meaning he could potentially face a firing squad if convicted. Idaho currently has nine inmates on death row, though the state has not carried out an execution in over a dozen years. The new law effectively removes one of the major obstacles that has prevented these sentences from being carried out.
“If we’re talking about terror, and we’re talking about barbaric, I think we should remember why this man is on death row in the first place” – Republican Sen. Brian Lenney
While some Democrats and a few Republicans have criticized the move as “barbaric” and potentially damaging to Idaho’s image, supporters point to the horrific nature of the crimes committed by death row inmates. Senator Brian Lenney’s comments reflect the sentiment of many conservatives who believe the focus should remain on justice for victims rather than concerns about the comfort of their killers. Governor Little himself has expressed a previous preference for lethal injection but signed the bill anyway, recognizing the practical realities facing the state’s criminal justice system and the will of the legislature’s conservative majority to ensure that justice delayed does not become justice denied.
Sources:
- Idaho becomes first state to prefer death by firing squad for executions
- Firing squad could become Idaho’s main execution method under a bill awaiting governor’s approval
