Idaho Legislature passes controversial execution methods bill

Idaho Lawmakers Pass Firing Squad Execution Legislation

Lawmakers in Idaho passed new legislation on Wednesday that, if signed into law, could make death by firing squad the state’s primary method of execution for inmates on death row. House Bill 37 passed the state’s Senate in a 28–7 vote roughly a month after the House voted 58–11 to pass it. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, if it is signed by Gov. Brad Little. Idaho is among five states—including Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah…

Idaho could be only state with firing squad as main execution method, after Legislature passes bill

The Idaho House of Representatives in January 2025. | Pat Sutphin, EastIdahoNews.com BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) — Unless Gov. Brad Little vetoes a bill that passed the Idaho Legislature, Idaho could become the only state to fatally shoot death row inmates as its main execution method. If passed into law, House Bill 37 would make the firing squad the primary death penalty method in Idaho.  Only five states allow firing squads for executions. But t…

The governor of Idaho, Brad Little, has signed a law that makes firing squad the main method of execution in the state, relegating lethal injection to a secondary alternative. This bill places Idaho as the only state in the United States to adopt firing squad as the primary method for capital punishment. The legislation, passed by the House of Representatives and the Idaho Senate with significant majorities, responds to the difficulties the stat…

The Governor of Idaho, USA, will have to decide whether to ratify the controversial law passed on Wednesday by the state Senate

‘An act of mercy’: Firing squad execution clears Idaho Legislature, on way to governor

A year ago, the state of Idaho failed to execute a prisoner for the very first time. Senate lawmakers responded at the Capitol on Wednesday by using their heavy Republican majority to pass a change in law to sideline lethal injections in favor of death by firing squad.The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Little for his consideration.The Republican has been leery of the more visually violent execution method. Two years ago, he enshrined a law to make a…

Firing squad could become Idaho’s main execution method under a bill awaiting governor’s approval

Death by firing squad could become Idaho’s primary method of execution under a bill headed to the governor’s desk this week.