State Poised to Make Firing Squads Main Method of Execution

Idaho is set to become the first U.S. state to designate the firing squad as its primary method of execution. State officials are moving forward with plans to construct a new death chamber south of Boise, expected to be operational by next summer. Under a law passed earlier this year, executions by firing squad will take precedence starting in July 2026, with lethal injection serving as a backup method, according to the Idaho Statesman.

In a notable shift from tradition, the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) is exploring the use of a remote-operated firing system to carry out executions—eliminating the need for prison staff to physically pull the trigger. While a final protocol for the new system hasn’t been released, IDOC Director Bree Derrick has stated the goal is to reduce staff involvement and avoid requiring volunteers for firing squads. No remote system has been purchased yet, but the department is actively researching available options.

State Rep. Bruce Skaug, who sponsored the firing squad legislation, expressed concern about the possibility of a technological failure. However, he told the Statesman that a backup firing squad of human shooters would be on standby in case of a malfunction.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Idaho Statesman‘s editorial board, which questioned the motivations behind prioritizing such a method. “No amount of separation can diminish the barbaric nature of this act,” the board wrote, arguing the policy seems more rooted in vengeance than justice. “Life in prison fulfills the promise of justice as well as the protection of the community; vengeance only serves to make us more like the killer, when we should be better.”

Idaho joins four other states that permit execution by firing squad, though only South Carolina has used it recently—executing two prisoners this year. One of those executions has since been criticized by a pathologist who claims it was botched.

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