Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73not60

§2332h Radiological Dispersal Devices

Title 18 › Part I— CRIMES › Chapter 113B— TERRORISM › § 2332h

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

It makes it a crime to on purpose make, get, give, move, import, export, have, use, or threaten to use any weapon or device designed to release dangerous radiation or to harm people by releasing radiation. It does not apply to actions done by the U.S. government, its agencies, or people working under a U.S. government contract. The United States can charge someone when the act affects interstate or foreign trade; happens outside the U.S. by a U.S. citizen; targets a U.S. citizen abroad; involves U.S. government property anywhere; or when someone helps or plans with a person in those situations. Penalties include fines up to $2,000,000 and at least 25 years in prison or life. If a device is used or threatened during the crime, prison is at least 30 years or life. If the crime causes a death, the punishment is a $2,000,000 fine and life in prison.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §2332h

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly produce, construct, otherwise acquire, transfer directly or indirectly, receive, possess, import, export, or use, or possess and threaten to use—

(A)any weapon that is designed or intended to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life; or

(B)any device or other object that is capable of and designed or intended to endanger human life through the release of radiation or radioactivity.

(2)This subsection does not apply with respect to—

(A)conduct by or under the authority of the United States or any department or agency thereof; or

(B)conduct pursuant to the terms of a contract with the United States or any department or agency thereof.

(b)Conduct prohibited by subsection (a) is within the jurisdiction of the United States if—

(1)the offense occurs in or affects interstate or foreign commerce;

(2)the offense occurs outside of the United States and is committed by a national of the United States;

(3)the offense is committed against a national of the United States while the national is outside the United States;

(4)the offense is committed against any property that is owned, leased, or used by the United States or by any department or agency of the United States, whether the property is within or outside the United States; or

(5)an offender aids or abets any person over whom jurisdiction exists under this subsection in committing an offense under this section or conspires with any person over whom jurisdiction exists under this subsection to commit an offense under this section.

(c)(1)Any person who violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, subsection (a) shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not less than 25 years or to imprisonment for life.

(2)Any person who, in the course of a violation of subsection (a), uses, attempts or conspires to use, or possesses and threatens to use, any item or items described in subsection (a), shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and imprisoned for not less than 30 years or imprisoned for life.

(3)If the death of another results from a person’s violation of subsection (a), the person shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and punished by imprisonment for life.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 2332h

Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60