A new bill in the state of Idaho seeks to make death by firing squad a legal form of execution. The proposal, led by state representative Bruce Skaug (R), comes after the Idaho Department of Correction had to cancel the scheduled execution of Gerald Pizzuto Jr. in November due to a lack of necessary chemicals.
Rep. Skaug argues that death by firing squad is a more humane form of execution, citing instances of lethal injections failing to swiftly execute some on death row. However, the bill does not specify how many or what type of firearms should be used, and it grants authority to the state’s Department of Correction to use the option if lethal injections are not available, as reported by KBOI 2 News.
Three Democratic lawmakers in the state voiced their opposition to the bill, calling death by firing squad an extremely violent and painful method of execution. If passed, the bill could impact accused murder suspect Bryan Kohberger in a hypothetical scenario, as he faces four counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors have not confirmed whether they are seeking the death penalty for him.
Lethal injection is currently the only legal form of execution in Idaho and is the preferred method of capital punishment in the 27 states that have the death penalty, according to NPR. However, complications such as difficulty finding usable veins, pricing, and severe problems procuring the actual chemicals for the injection have led more states to approve controversial backup methods.
