The US Code provides several different definitions of weapons of mass destruction, applicable in different contexts:
For the general purposes of national defense,[19] US Code[20] defines a weapon of mass destruction as:
"any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of—
toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors;
a disease organism; or
radiation or radioactivity."[21]
For the purposes of the prevention of weapons proliferation,[22] US Code defines weapons of mass destruction as:
"chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, and chemical, biological, and nuclear materials used in the manufacture of such weapons."[23]
For the purposes of US Criminal law concerning terrorism,[24] weapons of mass destruction are defined as:
"any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title;
any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors;
any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector ...; or
any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life."[25]
The cited section 921 defines a destructive device as:
"any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas—bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces [113 grams], missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce [7 grams], mine, or device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses...."[26]
19.^ US CODE: Title 50—War and National Defense
20.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 40—Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction
21.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 40, § 2302. Definitions
22.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 43—Preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
23.^ US CODE: 50, ch. 43; § 2902. Definitions
24.^ US CODE: Chapter 113B—Terrorism
25.^ US CODE: Title 18, § 2332a. Use of weapons of mass destruction
26.^ US CODE: Title 18, § 921. Definitions
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