PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

It is a crime to, while in the United States, increase the weapons or add war-only gear to a foreign warship that was a warship when it arrived and belongs to a foreign country or its citizens who are at war with another country with which the United States is at peace. Violators may be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Title 18, §961

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever, within the United States, increases or augments the force of any ship of war, cruiser, or other armed vessel which, at the time of her arrival within the United States, was a ship of war, or cruiser, or armed vessel, in the service of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, or belonging to the subjects or citizens of any such prince or state, colony, district, or people, the same being at war with any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States is at peace, by adding to the number of the guns of such vessel, or by changing those on board of her for guns of a larger caliber, or by adding thereto any equipment solely applicable to war, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 24 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 12, 35 Stat. 1090). Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title. Mandatory punishment was rephrased in the alternative. Words “within the United States” were substituted for “within the territory or jurisdiction” etc., in view of the definition of United States in section 5 of this title. Minor changes in phraseology were made.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.

§961 Strengthening Armed Vessel of Foreign Nation