Idaho plans for firing squad executions — aiming to keep prison staff from rifles
The state’s execution chamber at the prison complex south of Boise is under construction to accommodate shooting condemned prisoners to death by next summer. A new law that prioritizes a firing squad goes into effect starting July 2026. Lethal injection will remain the backup option.
But the Idaho Department of Correction aims to limit direct participation from correctional officers, agency spokesperson Blake Lopez told the Idaho Statesman.
“We have not yet procured a remote-operated system but are actively exploring available options,” he said by email. “A remote-operated system is preferred, as it would allow executions by firing squad to be carried out with minimal involvement from our staff.”
Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, who sponsored the bill that sets up the state’s transition to a firing squad, told the Idaho Statesman he has concerns that remote-operated firearms could falter the day of an execution. He advocated for the new execution method after Idaho prison officials were unable to execute a prisoner for the very first time, by lethal injection, in 2024.
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16 replies
Tbh I'd much rather a bullet to the head than a botched injection.
But the state executing people is morally reprehensible in the first place.
Who says you get one in the head?
A savage nation. A shithole country. A total no go zone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy_shot
https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/execution/firing-squad/
But who says you get one? From your own link:
No you must have missed the last paragraph
Automated weapons will be executing people. To save on staff.
I'd trust an automated weapon system to shoot me in the head more accurately than a human.
as long as it's not run bu AI
I'm opposed to the death penalty. There are various reasons why I believe the State should not be allowed to hold that power over people.
That said, if you are going to have the death penalty as part of your legal system, at least be honest about it. Don't try to put lipstick on a pig by making it appear more civilized and ethical than it is.
Death penalty by firing squad is at least a very straight-forward and honest way of imposing the death penalty
This is the most gut-wrenchingly dystopian thing I've read in a while. I can't believe it's not satire.
It's things like this that make me glad that our justice system is perfect, and we've never executed an innocent person.
Those people are cowards, there was one in my town who shot someone note didn't even kill the person. And apparently the tough badass bullshit shattered by the time the sheriffs deputy and paramedics got there.
just use one of them new school shooting drones. I'm sure it'll be fine.
Those only use pepper spray pellets.(and a glass hammer or something?)
Jesus America… have you guys considered a giant meat grinder? Or putting them on a train track? Giant saw maybe? U S A. U S A.
Actually, perhaps a gas chamber would fit your current trajectory better.
Neat. I wonder if it's cheaper or less agonizing for the victim.