Chapter 16

Summary:
Terrorism is defined as acts that are intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or government, usually for some political purpose or objective.  However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation defines terrorism as the unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.  Terrorism can take many forms, including cybercrime and bioterrorism.  Cyberterrorism or cybercrime is a computer is used to commit crimes, such as embezzlement or the diversion of bank monies.  Bioterrorism is the use of chemical or biological agents in attacks.  Chemical weapons suffocate the victim immediately or cause massive burning while biological weapons are slower acting, spreading a disease through a population before the first signs are noticed.  Law enforcement takes 4 distinct measures: gathering raw intelligence, determining what measures to take, assessing the damage, and apprehending and convicting the terrorists.  Legislative measures concerning terrorism include the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (known as the USA PATRIOT Act) and the Military Commissions Act (MCA). The use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, by military and civilian police agencies rides the fine line between security and privacy.  The Second Amendment provides citizens the right to keep and bear arms: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”.   However, cries for new gun controls were raised with attempts to regulate the sale, transfer, manufacture, and use of firearms.  The marijuana conundrum involves the debate concerning the legalization of marijuana in the United States.  In 2012, the use of marijuana for recreational purposes was approved by voters in Colorado and Washington.  Proponents of legalization states that the demand for criminal justice resources would be lessened as well as reduced prices and better quality control of marijuana. Opponents state that legalization serves as a stepping-stone to harder drugs, increases the chances of drugs being used by kids, causes physical damage to users, and lead to possible legalization of harder drugs.  Marijuana laws are also in violation of federal laws that have listed marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

Objectives:

• Delineate the types of terrorism, the cybercrime threat posed by China, bioterrorism, and some law enforcement and legislative approaches enacted for combating it (to include several accompanying issues regarding police use of unmanned aerial vehicles)
• Describe the primary policy issues involved in gun control
• Explain the movement to legalize marijuana use and some legal, political, and technical questions involved

Outline:

• Terrorism
   
  • Acts that are intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or government, usually for some political purpose or objective
     
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation definition
     
  • Takes many forms
     
  • Cyberterrorism-and the Asian Threat
     
  • Bioterrorism
     
  • Law Enforcement Measures
     
  • Legislative Measures
     
  • Balancing Security and Privacy: Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
     
• Gun Control: The “Right” to Be Well-Armed
   
  • Cries for new gun controls were also raised, as were demands that no new restrictions be placed on gun ownership and types of guns (i.e., so-called assault weapons) and magazines (or “clips”) that can be sold
     
  • Attempts to Prevent Gun Violence
     
• The Marijuana Conundrum
   
  • A Sea Change in State Laws
     
  • Conflicting Federal Law