[Lord Octagon]

Idaho approves death by firing squad

The bill originated in the State Senate and was proposed by Senator Richard Pumpkin (@Hungames).

EVOCITY, ID - The state of Idaho has legalised the use of firing squads to carry out the death penalty if the drugs for lethal injections are not available, or at the condemned's request. The change makes it one of four states in the US in which a firing squad can be used - the others being Utah, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

In 2009 the firing squad option was removed, Idaho having never executed an inmate by that method. Lethal injection, which was adopted in 1978, became the sole method of execution. Prior to 1957, Idaho used hanging to carry out executions. Idaho has never executed a woman.

Both chambers of the State Legislature voted unanimously in favour of the bill, and Governor Thomas Kirkman (@Ollie630) signed it into law on 12 August. There are concerns about the shortage of drugs used for lethal injections, that method is used in more than half of US states but has come under scrutiny after some botched executions. 

Despite claims of being 'barbaric' and a 'cruel and unusual' punishment, firing squad has also been seen as a more humane method of execution. US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued in Arthur v. Dunn: "In addition to being near instant, death by shooting may also be comparatively painless ... And historically, the firing squad has yielded significantly fewer botched executions."

A spokesman for the governor said: "Just as it was before firing squad was outlawed in 2009, lethal injection is the primary method when such a sentence is issued. However, when a jury makes the decision and a judge signs a death warrant, enforcing that lawful decision is the obligation of the executive branch."

A copy of the bill can be viewed

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Published: 13 August, 2019
Submitted by: Pierre El Daher

[Lord Octagon]

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