NCJ Number
167830
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Despite the Oklahoma City bombing, the threat of terrorism in America is too slight to justify granting additional law enforcement authority to the Federal Government.
Abstract
Although one terrorist attack is too many, the current level of terrorist activity in the United States provides no cause for Congress to act without due deliberation. Legislators must recognize that law enforcement agencies today often abuse their power, thereby stoking violent passions. In any case, the police already have expansive authority to combat terrorism. Congress should assess whether increasing these powers would significantly improve law enforcement's ability to combat terrorism. Further, mistrust of government, which apparently exists in a large percentage of Americans, will only be exacerbated by giving law enforcement agencies additional power over citizens. There is also evidence that it is the perceived threat of the Federal Government to the rights of citizens that has fueled domestic terrorism such as was manifested in the Oklahoma City bombing. Placing even greater authority in agencies that have abused their trust would only exacerbate peoples' fears of Washington; therefore, legislators should first focus on reforming the current system. Unnecessary powers should be terminated; abuses need to be curbed; and accountability should be re-established. Only when people's liberties would be less at risk should Congress consider expanding the authority of law enforcement.