NCJ Number
77739
Date Published
1978
Length
223 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the definitions of terrorism as well as international and domestic trends in terrorism, identifies terrorist groups currently active in the United States, and examines State and Federal antiterrorism legislation.
Abstract
There are at least 15 active terrorist groups operating domestically, based in East and West Coast urban areas. They have strong international links and have become increasingly sophisticated in their use of weaponry and choice of targets. An emerging concern is that the new target of terrorists may be vital industries, such as utilities, petrochemical producers, nuclear power plants, and public transportation. Only 16 States were found to have enacted statutes that prohibit 'terrorist' threats and acts; of these, 12 prosecute activities causing general civilian disruption. The Federal Criminal Code was found to have no specific prohibition against terrorist acts and threats; however, a multitude of Federal laws, both substantive and procedural, may be used to apprehend and prosecute suspected terrorists. Efforts should be made to examine State governments' capabilities in dealing with disruptive terrorist incidents, and to inventory Federal government resources available in each State. The review should determine the recent incident and future potential of terrorist activity, the governor's statutory authority to declare a state of emergency, the role of a comprehensive emergency manager, law enforcement ability to gather adequate intelligence about terrorist groups, and State criminal code provisions for prosecution of terrorists. Appendixes contain background information regarding State disaster/emergency acts, footnotes for the chart of gubernatorial and State disaster/emergency acts, the Council of State Governments' example State Disaster Act of 1972 and supplements, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, and the U.S. Code on Insurrection. Tabular data, an index, and a bibliography of over 80 references are also provided.