The U.S. state of Idaho is set to become the first state in the country to make the firing squad its primary method of execution when a new law takes effect on July 1.
Governor Brad Little signed the legislation in 2025 after Idaho encountered repeated challenges carrying out executions by lethal injection, including a failed execution attempt in 2024 when prison officials were unable to establish an intravenous line for a death row inmate.
Under the new law, the firing squad will become the state’s default execution method, while lethal injection will remain available as a backup option if necessary.
Supporters of the change argue that the firing squad provides a more reliable way to carry out court-ordered executions, particularly as states continue to face shortages of lethal injection drugs and legal disputes over execution protocols.
Critics, however, say the move raises serious ethical and human rights concerns, arguing that states should move away from capital punishment rather than adopt alternative execution methods.
The change comes as Idaho has also taken a tougher stance on crimes involving children.
Earlier this year, the state approved legislation allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty in certain cases involving the aggravated sexual abuse of children under the age of 12. The law is expected to face legal challenges because U.S. Supreme Court rulings have generally barred the death penalty for crimes in which the victim was not killed.
Idaho’s latest actions have placed the state at the center of the national debate over capital punishment, with supporters viewing the measures as a stronger response to the most serious crimes, while opponents continue to question both the legality and morality of the death penalty.
The new execution law will take effect on July 1, making Idaho the only U.S. state to designate the firing squad as its primary method of execution.