Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 23— - DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER XVII— - ENFORCEMENT OF CHAPTER › § 2272
Violating, trying to violate, or planning to violate the laws in sections 2077 or 2131, or unlawfully interfering with recapture or entry under section 2138, can lead to a fine up to $10,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both. If the act is done to injure the United States or to benefit a foreign nation, the penalty can be life in prison, years in prison, a fine up to $20,000, or both. Violating section 2122 can bring a fine up to $2,000,000 and at least 25 years in prison or life. Using, trying to use, or threatening to use an atomic weapon during that crime raises the minimum to 30 years in prison or life and can still include a fine up to $2,000,000. If a death results, the penalty is life in prison and up to $2,000,000 in fines.
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The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 2272
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73