Idaho Now Allows Firing Squad Executions for Child Molesters

A month after deciding that firing squads would be Idaho’s primary method of execution, Governor Brad Little signed a law that lets judges and juries sentence convicted pedophiles to the death penalty. Governor Little expressed his thoughts, stating that just as capital murder ruins lives, so does the heinous act of sexually abusing a child. In his words, “The sexual abuse of children is sickening and evil, and perpetrators convicted of these crimes deserve the ultimate punishment.”

Under Idaho House Bill 380, backed by Republican state Representatives Bruce Skaug and Josh Tanner, there’s now a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 25 years for the molestation of minors aged 13-16. This applies if two of 14 aggravating factors are present. These factors include situations like kidnapping, causing bodily harm, or if the offender was already a registered sex offender.

If an adult pedophile is found guilty of aggravated lewd conduct with a child 12 or younger, the punishment could be life in prison or death if similar aggravating factors are present. The list of factors also includes any form of penetration and repeated offenses involving the same victim. Idaho’s stance is clear: “Idaho will not tolerate these offenses.”

Previously, Idaho only allowed the death penalty for first-degree murder cases with aggravating factors. Before the law was passed, Skaug told his fellow lawmakers that Idaho had some of the most lenient laws for child molestation and rape in the country. This new legislation sends a strong message that Idaho won’t stand for these crimes.

The bill passed the Idaho House without opposition, though in the Senate, a few Democrats and Republicans voted against it. Governor Little praised the legislature for reinforcing Idaho’s reputation for being tough on crime. However, it’s expected that this law may face legal challenges, considering a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision deemed the death penalty unconstitutional for child rape cases where the victim wasn’t killed.

Former Justice Anthony Kennedy noted that the death penalty isn’t a proportional punishment for child rape. He suggested justice might be better served by imprisoning offenders and allowing them to understand their wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers across the nation appear inclined to lessen penalties for those who prey on children.

For instance, Colorado Democrats voted against a bill making indecent exposure to children a felony. They also blocked legislation that would have imposed mandatory minimum sentences for predators exploiting children. Similarly, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing judges to be more lenient with non-straight pedophiles convicted of sex crimes against minors.

In California, Democrats, led by State Senator Scott Wiener, opposed Republican efforts to impose harsher penalties on those paying for sex with children. Wiener, an LGBT activist, argued that such laws might unfairly punish young adults in consensual relationships with minors. In Virginia, Democrats also blocked legislation that would prevent sex offenders from loitering near places frequented by children.

But red states like Florida, Tennessee, and Idaho are taking a different approach. In 2023, Florida passed a law allowing the death penalty for child rapists. Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that heinous crimes deserve the ultimate punishment, stressing the importance of appropriate consequences for such acts.

Despite objections from Democrats, Tennessee Republicans moved forward with House Bill 1663, enabling judges and juries to sentence child rapists to death. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ratified the legislation, which mandates severe penalties for adults convicted of raping children.

Alabama might soon join the list of states treating child rape as a capital offense. Earlier this year, the Alabama House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill permitting the death penalty for adults who victimize children under 12. With such measures gaining traction, it’s evident that some states are determined to impose the harshest penalties on those committing these horrendous crimes.