FIRING SQUAD EXECUTION OPTION IN US STATE

Death by firing squad may soon be an execution option for death-row inmates in the United States state of Idaho.

Under the new law that was signed in last week, inmates on death row can choose the firing squad option if there aren’t any lethal injection drugs available.

The execution method hasn’t been used in the United States for more than 10 years.

Republican Governor Brad Little said the state has a responsibility to ensure executions take place as prescribed by the state’s law.

“For the people on death row, a jury convicted them of their crimes, and they were lawfully sentenced to death. It is the responsibility of the State of Idaho to follow the law and ensure that lawful criminal sentences are carried out.”

The bill was proposed based on more states struggling to obtain the chemicals necessary for lethal injections. The shortage of stock is largely based on pharmaceutical companies that have stopped selling the drug.

Other countries that have also permitted the death by firing squad execution option are Mississippi, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah.

Idaho will officially join that list when the law takes effect on 1 July 2023.

Image credit: NBC15