§2332i Acts of nuclear terrorism

Summary

Makes it a crime to knowingly have, make, use, or damage radioactive material or a nuclear device when the person means to kill or seriously injure people, to cause big damage to property or the environment, or to force someone, an international group, or a country to do something. It is also a crime to threaten, demand, attempt, or plan such acts if the threat could reasonably be believed. A person who breaks these rules can be fined up to $2,000,000 and put in prison for any number of years or for life. The law applies inside the United States and in several situations outside the country, for example when the actor or victim is a U.S. national or U.S. company, when it happens on a U.S. ship or U.S.-registered aircraft, when the act targets the United States, or when the offender is later found in the United States. It does not cover combat actions by armed forces during war or military actions done as official duties. Key terms (one line each): armed conflict — fighting between states covered by the laws of war; device — a nuclear explosive or a radiation-dispersing/emitting device that can kill or cause serious harm; international organization — a group of countries or similar body; military forces of a state — a country’s armed forces and those under their command; national of the United States — a U.S. citizen or national; nuclear facility — reactors, plants, transport, or sites that handle nuclear material where damage could release dangerous radiation; nuclear material — material used in nuclear reactions; radioactive material — substances that emit ionizing radiation and can harm people or the environment; serious bodily injury — a major injury as defined in law; state — a country (including its parts); state or government facility — a government building or installation; United States corporation or legal entity — a company or organization formed under U.S. law; vessel — a ship or boat; vessel of the United States — a ship that is legally a U.S. vessel.