This database provides information on all state domestic terrorism laws in the country. U.S. federal law defines domestic terrorism, but provides no penalties. Instead, the offense of domestic terrorism is state-based, and varies considerably across the country. Thirty-two states and Washington D.C. criminalize the act of domestic terrorism, while the remainder of the states do not. Most state anti-terrorism laws were enacted in the wake of the September 11 attacks, although some were enacted or amended more recently.
Many state domestic terrorism laws are written in an overbroad manner that can cover activities not typically associated with “terrorism,” including in the context of protests and advocacy, raising clear First Amendment concerns. This database provides a summary of the crime of domestic terrorism in each state that criminalizes the offense, along with links to the relevant statutes. The database also indicates if there is also a separate crime of providing support to further an act of terrorism or a terroristic threat offense.
Learn more about ICNL’s work in the United States on our US Program page. For more information about this page contact Elly Page (epage@icnl.org) or Nick Robinson (nrobinson@icnl.org).
Prohibits committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate a civilian population, influence government policy by intimidation, or affect government conduct by killing or kidnapping. Specified offences include murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and assault with a weapon, as well as stalking, witness intimidation, endangering the food supply, and criminal tampering–or conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these offenses. The offense is a felony, with penalties ranging from two years in prison to the death penalty depending on the underlying offense.
There is no crime of terrorism
Prohibits intentionally or knowingly committing a felony that involves the use of a deadly weapon or infliction of serious injury with the intent to influence state government policy or actions, substantially damage or interrupt public services, intimidate civilians, or further the goals of any terrorist organization. The offense is a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to life in prison.
Prohibits knowingly committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; influence government policy by intimidation or coercion; affect government conduct by intimidation or coercion; or retaliate against a civilian population or government for a policy or conduct. Specified offences include any act that creates a risk of death or serious injury to five or more people; an act that disables the operation of a communications system; an act that that disables the usefulness or operation of a computer system used by any business or government unit; an act that disables or causes substantial damage or destruction to any facility used in transportation, the production or distribution of fuels or electricity, the treatment or distribution of water or sewage, or to control the flow of any body of water; an act that causes substantial damage or destruction to livestock or crops; an act that causes substantial damage or destruction to a hospital or any building, facility, or monument owned by a government, defense contractor, public utility, or manufacturer of chemical or biological products used in agriculture; or any act that causes damage of more than $500,000 to any building or set of buildings. The offense is a Class Y felony, which is punishable by a minimum of ten years in jail with a maximum of life.