Publishing Do-It-Yourself Munitions Books Increases the Risk of Terrorism (From Urban Terrorism, P 106-108, 1996, A E Sadler and Paul A Winters, eds. -- See NCJ-167808)

• NCJ Number: 167825
• Author(s): F Reed
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 3 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Manuals that explain how to build bombs and commit other violent acts are protected by the First Amendment, but the information they contain threatens Americans' safety.

Abstract

There is no shortage of easily accessible information on how to bomb, kill, and injure fellow human beings without getting caught. The improvised-explosives books detail how to make bombs with materials that are not illegal and cannot be traced. The publication of such information cannot be stopped because of First Amendment rights. The lunatic fringe, whether a radical right-winger or a leftist ideologue, can thus be instructed in how to plan and implement those violent acts they believe are necessary to achieve their goal of a better society. Although radicals drawn to violence may have deranged minds, they are not unintelligent. They have networks and disaffected chemistry students that are capable of sophisticated planning and the execution of devastating acts of violence. All that protects society against terrorism is each individual's decision not to engage in it. If a person or persons wishes to commit a terrorist act, the tools and the tactics are easily accessible, and all society can do is try to catch them and punish them after the deed has been done.