Terrorist Attacks on Commercial Airlines: Federal Criminal Prohibitions

Federal authorities can and have prosecuted terrorist attacks on commercial airlines under a wide variety of federal statutes. Some of those statutes outlaw crimes committed aboard a commercial airliner; some, crimes committed against the aircraft itself; others, crimes involving the use of firearms or explosives; still others, crimes committed for terrorist purposes. Within each category, the law reaches co-conspirators and other accomplices. Moreover, although most apply when committed within the United States, many apply to terrorist attacks overseas, particularly but necessarily, when the victims are Americans or U.S. airlines.

• Record URL:
  http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/R41035.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Congressional Research Service

  Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20540-7500
• Authors:
  • Doyle, C
• Publication Date: 2010-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 19p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aviation safety; Civil aviation; Crimes; Crimes involving transportation; Explosives; Federal laws; Firearms; Law enforcement; Prosecution; Terrorism
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Law; Policy; Security and Emergencies; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01155814
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: LCCRS-7-5700
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 2010 10:44AM