Firing squad set to become primary method of execution in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The firing squad will become the primary method of execution in the State of Idaho starting July 1, 2026. Those in support of the change argue it's a more humane and efficient method, while some are more skeptical.

Idaho is now one of five states to authorize the firing squad as a means of execution. Other states include Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah and South Carolina. Where Idaho differs, it's the only state to make it the primary method.

The death penalty in Idaho

In 1977, the Supreme Court of the United States reinstated use of the death penalty in the case Gregg v. Georgia. Leading to states updating their death penalty statutes and procedure.

Since then, Idaho has successfully carried out three executions through lethal injection. In 1994, 2011 and 2012.

The last attempted execution was in February of 2024. Thomas Creech, the longest serving inmate on death row in Idaho, received the death penalty after beating another inmate to death in 1981.

On the day of Creech's scheduled execution, the execution team failed after eight attempts to find a vain to set the IV that would administer the lethal injection.

Rep. Bruce Skaug co-sponsored House Bill 803 in the 2026 legislative session. The bill made the firing squad the primary method as well as added new provisions to protect parts of the execution procedure from review.

He said in an interview that the lethal injection has the possibility to fail about six or seven percent of the time.

"We needed something that was sure and humane, and firing squad is humane because it is sudden, it is quick and it is certain," Skaug, R-Nampa said.

The firing squad

Since capital punishment was reinstated, there have been six firing squad executions according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Three of those six took place in South Carolina in 2025.

Robin Maher, the executive director for the Death Penalty Information Center, told IdahoNews.com that two of those three in South Carolina "went badly."

"One of them, only two bullets were found in the prisoner. The third bullet didn't even hit him and neither of those bullets hit his heart," Maher said. "So it tells you that the firing squad is not a foolproof method."

An idea to carry out the firing squad through a remote-controlled firing mechanism was considered in Idaho, ultimately being scrapped for a traditional three-member firing squad. Each member of the firing squad team will receive one live round of ammunition, and on the call to "fire" will simultaneously discharge their weapons.

The Idaho Department of Corrections has detailed a series of qualifications and requirements to be considered as a possible member of the firing squad, since it operates on a volunteer basis.

Volunteers must hold a Peace Officers Standards and Training, or POST, certification for a minimum of three years, have no disciplinary action in the past 12 months relating to firearms or use of force, and be able to demonstrate a proficiency in firearms.

Volunteers must pass a test in which they:

• Fire each IDOC provided firearm with 100% accuracy from at least 21 feet.
• Hit a target of the same size, shape and height as will be used in an actual execution
• A volunteer fails the test if they are unable to hit the target with one round from each of the firearms

The volunteers also cannot have any blood or legal relation to the victim, the victim's family, the prisoner and the prisoner's family.

Maher believes the firing squad fell out of favor due to the method being "graphic" and "bloody." Leading the public with a want to move away from the method.

Public opinion of the death penalty

According to a Gallup poll, public support for the death penalty is at a five-decade low. While 52% of people still support capital punishment, the number of people not in favor has steadily grown since the mid-1990s.

"There are rising concerns about the evidence of bias and of error, the accuracy and whether the death penalty even works, keeps [people] safer," Maher said.

Skaug told IdahoNews.com that in Idaho, favor for the death penalty isn't losing any support. That he has heard from constituents voicing their support for both the death penalty as a whole and the firing squad specifically. Saying some have even expressed a "too eager" desire to be on the firing squad.

"We go through a lot of time and expense to get someone on death row and then ultimately to carry out the justice for the victims and their families," Skaug said.

The cost of the death penalty

As part of approving the firing squad, IDOC needed to retrofit the execution chamber at F-Block at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution to accommodate the change. Originally being appropriated $750,000 from the legislature in 2023.

For phase two of the update, IDOC estimates the cost at about $910,802.

Skaug said he doesn't like the up-front cost to retrofit F-Block, but he said "it needed to be done." He also said it will be easier to acquire ammunition and firearms than it is to acquire the drugs needed for lethal injection. Saying that a manufacturer offered to donate ammunition to the state, which was refused.

Maher said many people are shocked to hear the cost to carry out the death penalty is higher than expected.

"As soon as the prosecutor decides to seek death, the price tag goes up," Maher said referring to a long series of appeals and security costs required.

As the new procedure is set to take effect July 1, Skaug says that they are ready to carry out the firing squad. There are currently eight people on Idaho's death row.

Source: idahonews.com, Joel Hiroma, June 30, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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