A: The man accused in the bombing at the Boston Marathon who survived is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction. What is the legal definition of a weapon of mass destruction? — Bob Sullivan, Canton
Q: Weapon of mass destruction can include many types of explosives and weapons under U.S. law. The criminal complaint against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in the Boston Marathon bombing cites Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2332, which states: "The term 'weapon of mass destruction' means — (A) any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title." Section 921 defines destructive devices as:
(A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas —
- bomb
- grenade
- rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces
- missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce
- mine
- device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses;
(B) Any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell which the Attorney General finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes) by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter; and
(C) Any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled.
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