Citation

Levin B, Amster SE. Am. Behav. Sci. 2003; 46(6): 845-856.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0002764202239178

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The potential for nuclear and radiological terrorism is a concern for policy makers as the motives and methods of many modern terrorists have changed to embrace weapons of mass destruction. Because these threats likely involve malefactors who rely on a combination of preparation, cooperation, and technical data, it is important to examine how the law addresses preliminary criminal activity as well as access to potentially dangerous information. Although criminal and First Amendment legal sanctions are primarily oriented to address past activities, they do allow authorities to act prospectively in limited circumstances. These circumstances can include instances where nuclear or radiological terrorism is a possibility.