Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73
§2302 Definitions
Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 40— - DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION › § 2302
Summary
Defines three terms. Weapon of mass destruction: anything meant or able to kill or hurt many people by toxic chemicals, disease organisms, or radiation. Independent states of the former Soviet Union: as defined in section 5801 of title 22. Highly enriched uranium: uranium with 20%+ U–235.
Full Legal Text
Title 50, §2302
War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In this chapter:
(1)The term “weapon of mass destruction” means any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of—
(A)toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors;
(B)a disease organism; or
(C)radiation or radioactivity.
(2)The term “independent states of the former Soviet Union” has the meaning given that term in section 5801 of title 22.
(3)The term “highly enriched uranium” means uranium enriched to 20 percent or more in the isotope U–235.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title XIV of div. A of Pub. L. 104–201, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2714, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title XIV to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 2301 of this title and Tables.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
50 U.S.C. § 2302
Title 50 — War and National Defense
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73