---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 231"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "231"
heading: "Civil disorders"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/231"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 12 — Civil Disorders"
---

# §231. Civil disorders

- (a)
  - (1) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) teaches or demonstrates to any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) the use, application, or making of any [firearm](/usc/18/232.md?p=4) or [explosive or incendiary device](/usc/18/232.md?p=5), or technique capable of causing injury or death to [persons](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), knowing or having reason to know or intending that the same will be unlawfully employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a [civil disorder](/usc/18/232.md?p=1) which may in any way or degree obstruct, delay, or adversely affect [commerce](/usc/18/232.md?p=2) or the movement of any article or commodity in [commerce](/usc/18/232.md?p=2) or the conduct or performance of any [federally protected function](/usc/18/232.md?p=3); or
  - (2) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) transports or manufactures for transportation in [commerce](/usc/18/232.md?p=2) any [firearm](/usc/18/232.md?p=4), or [explosive or incendiary device](/usc/18/232.md?p=5), knowing or having reason to know or intending that the same will be used unlawfully in furtherance of a [civil disorder](/usc/18/232.md?p=1); or
  - (3) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) commits or attempts to commit any act to obstruct, impede, or interfere with any [fireman](/usc/18/232.md?p=6) or [law enforcement officer](/usc/18/232.md?p=7) lawfully engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties incident to and during the commission of a [civil disorder](/usc/18/232.md?p=1) which in any way or degree obstructs, delays, or adversely affects [commerce](/usc/18/232.md?p=2) or the movement of any article or commodity in [commerce](/usc/18/232.md?p=2) or the conduct or performance of any [federally protected function](/usc/18/232.md?p=3)—

    Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

- (b) Nothing contained in this section shall make unlawful any act of any [law enforcement officer](/usc/18/232.md?p=7) which is performed in the lawful performance of his official duties.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 90–284, title X, § 1002(a), Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 90; amended Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000” in concluding par.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

Pub. L. 90–284, title X, § 1001, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 90, provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Civil Obedience Act of 1968’.”