This week, Idaho made executions its primary method of death by firing squad. This practice may seem cruel and antiquated, but it is now allowed by more states than at any other time in American history.
Guardian US chief correspondent, ed pilkington, Explains the rise of the firing squad – and what it tells us about the country in 2026.
While its supporters argue that it is a safe and humane form of capital punishment, he points out Helen Pidd There are countless examples where this appears to have gone wrong – including allegations of deliberately botched executions to prolong a prisoner’s death.
