---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2332h"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2332h"
heading: "Radiological dispersal devices"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2332h"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 113B — Terrorism"
---

# §2332h. Radiological dispersal devices

- (a) **Unlawful Conduct.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#a-2), it shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to knowingly produce, construct, otherwise acquire, transfer directly or indirectly, receive, possess, import, export, or use, or possess and threaten to use—
    - (A) any weapon that is designed or intended to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life; or
    - (B) any device or other object that is capable of and designed or intended to endanger human life through the release of radiation or radioactivity.
  - (2) **Exception.—** This subsection does not apply with respect to—
    - (A) conduct by or under the authority of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or any department or agency thereof; or
    - (B) conduct pursuant to the terms of a contract with the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or any department or agency thereof.
- (b) **Jurisdiction.—** Conduct prohibited by [subsection (a)](#a) is within the jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) if—
  - (1) the offense occurs in or affects [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2);
  - (2) the offense occurs outside of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) and is committed by a [national of the United States](/usc/18/178.md?p=5);
  - (3) the offense is committed against a [national of the United States](/usc/18/178.md?p=5) while the national is outside the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9);
  - (4) the offense is committed against any property that is owned, leased, or used by the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or by any department or agency of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), whether the property is within or outside the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9); or
  - (5) an offender aids or abets any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) over whom jurisdiction exists under this subsection in committing an offense under this section or conspires with any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) over whom jurisdiction exists under this subsection to commit an offense under this section.
- (c) **Criminal Penalties.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, [subsection (a)](#a) shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not less than 25 years or to imprisonment for life.
  - (2) **Other circumstances.—** Any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who, in the course of a violation of [subsection (a)](#a), uses, attempts or conspires to use, or possesses and threatens to use, any item or items described in [subsection (a)](#a), shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and imprisoned for not less than 30 years or imprisoned for life.
  - (3) **Special circumstances.—** If the death of another results from a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5)’s violation of [subsection (a)](#a), the [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and punished by imprisonment for life.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, § 6905, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3772.)