State Domestic Terrorism Laws in the United States

Last updated: March 7, 2024

This database provides information on all state domestic terrorism laws in the country. U.S. federal law defines domestic terrorism, but provides no penalties. Instead, the offense of domestic terrorism is state-based, and varies considerably across the country. Thirty-two states and Washington D.C. criminalize the act of domestic terrorism, while the remainder of the states do not. Most state anti-terrorism laws were enacted in the wake of the September 11 attacks, although some were enacted or amended more recently. 

Many state domestic terrorism laws are written in an overbroad manner that can cover activities not typically associated with “terrorism,” including in the context of protests and advocacy, raising clear First Amendment concerns. This database provides a summary of the crime of domestic terrorism in each state that criminalizes the offense, along with links to the relevant statutes. The database also indicates if there is also a separate crime of providing support to further an act of terrorism or a terroristic threat offense.  

Learn more about ICNL’s work in the United States on our US Program page. For more information about this page contact Elly Page (epage@icnl.org) or Nick Robinson (nrobinson@icnl.org).

States with the offense of terrorism
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State
Provision(s)
Terroristic Threat Offense
Support to Terrorism Offense
History
AlabamaAlabama
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2006
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate a civilian population, influence government policy by intimidation, or affect government conduct by killing or kidnapping. Specified offences include murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and assault with a weapon, as well as stalking, witness intimidation, endangering the food supply, and criminal tampering–or conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these offenses. The offense is a felony, with penalties ranging from two years in prison to the death penalty depending on the underlying offense.   

AlaskaAlaska
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism 

ArizonaArizona
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2017
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits intentionally or knowingly committing a felony that involves the use of a deadly weapon or infliction of serious injury with the intent to influence state government policy or actions, substantially damage or interrupt public services, intimidate civilians, or further the goals of any terrorist organization. The offense is a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to life in prison.  

ArkansasArkansas
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2003
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits knowingly committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; influence government policy by intimidation or coercion; affect government conduct by intimidation or coercion; or retaliate against a civilian population or government for a policy or conduct. Specified offences include any act that creates a risk of death or serious injury to five or more people; an act that disables the operation of a communications system; an act that that disables the usefulness or operation of a computer system used by any business or government unit; an act that disables or causes substantial damage or destruction to any facility used in transportation, the production or distribution of fuels or electricity, the treatment or distribution of water or sewage, or to control the flow of any body of water; an act that causes substantial damage or destruction to livestock or crops; an act that causes substantial damage or destruction to a hospital or any building, facility, or monument owned by a government, defense contractor, public utility, or manufacturer of chemical or biological products used in agriculture; or any act that causes damage of more than $500,000 to any building or set of buildings.  The offense is a Class Y felony, which is punishable by a minimum of ten years in jail with a maximum of life.  

CaliforniaCalifornia

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism 

ColoradoColorado

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism 

ConnecticutConnecticut
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a felony involving the unlawful use or threatened use of physical force or violence with intent to intimidate a civilian population or unit of government. The penalty for the offense is to impose the sentence of imprisonment authorized for the next more serious degree felony for which they are convicted.   

DelawareDelaware
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism 

DCDC
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense intended to intimidate a significant portion of the civilian population or influence government policy or conduct through intimidation. A specified offense includes murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, arson, assault with the intent to kill, malicious destruction of another’s property valued at $500,000 or more, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the specified offenses. Depending on the specified offense the crime is punishable from up to 15 years in prison or up to life in prison.  

FloridaFlorida
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2001, amended 2017, 2019
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits a person from committing a specified offense in furtherance of coercing government policy or affecting government conduct by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. A specified offense includes murder, manslaughter, aggravated battery, assault or battery against a law enforcement officer, kidnapping, discharging a firearm in public, discharges a destructive device that is intended to be a weapon, use of a weapon of mass destruction, arson, an offense against a computer, or a combination to usurp the government of the state. The crime is a felony in the first degree punishable by up to 30 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. If the crime results in death or serious bodily injury is a life felony punished by life in jail without the possibility of parole.  

GeorgiaGeorgia
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2017
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a felony which is intended to cause serious bodily harm, kill, or disable or destroy critical infrastructure, a government facility, or a public transportation system (when such disability or destruction results in major economic loss), and is intended to intimidate a civilian population, alter government policy by intimidation or coercion, or affect government conduct by use of destructive devices, assassination, or kidnapping. The penalty for the offense is a felony punishable by not less than five years in jail and up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.  

HawaiiHawaii

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

IdahoIdaho
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a violation of Idaho criminal law that involve acts dangerous to human life that are intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence government policy by intimidation or coercion, or affect government conduct by use of weapons of mass destruction. The penalty for the offense is a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.    

IllinoisIllinois
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2001, amended 2009, 2015
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits knowingly committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate a significant portion of a civilian population. A specified offense includes an act that causes or creates a risk of death or great bodily harm to one or more persons; an act that disables the usefulness of a communications system; an act that disables computers used by any government or industry; an act that disables or causes substantial damage to any facility used in connection with transportation, electric or fossil fuel production, or to control a body of water; an act that causes substantial destruction to livestock or crops; or an act that endangers the food or water supply. The crime is a class X felony. If no deaths are caused the sentence is from 20 years to life. If a death is caused than the penalty shall be life in prison.  

IndianaIndiana
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2001, amended 2012, 2019
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits a person from knowingly or intentionally possessing, manufacturing, placing, disseminating, or detonating a weapon of mass destruction with intent to carry out terrorism. Terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of force or violence or threat of force or violence to intimidate or coerce a government; part of a civilian population; or to affect government conduct by use of a weapon of mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. This offense is a level 3 felony punishable by up to 16 years unless the conduct results in serious bodily injury or death in which case it is a level 1 felony punishable by up to 40 years in jail. 

IowaIowa
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing or attempting to commit a specified offense to intimidate a civilian population; influence government policy through intimidation; or affect government conduct. A specified offense is “shooting, throwing, launching, discharging or otherwise using a dangerous weapon at, into, or in a building, vehicle, airplane, railroad engine, railroad car, or boat, occupied by another person, or within an assembly of people.” The crime is class B felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison.  

KansasKansas
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2010
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing, attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit any felony with the intent to intimidate a civilian population; influence government policy by intimidation; or affect government operation. The offense is a felony punishable by up to life in prison or death. A person injured as a result of the crime of terrorism may bring a civil action for up to three times damages sustained or $10,000, whichever is greater, and the cost of the suit.  

KentuckyKentucky
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2018
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate a civilian population or influence through intimidation government conduct. A specified offense includes murder, manslaughter, reckless homicide (that results in the death of a first responder), first degree assault involving serious physical injury to the victim, or the use of a weapon of mass destruction. The offense is punishable by life imprisonment without parole.  

LouisianaLouisiana
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with the intent to intimidate the civilian population; or influence government policy or conduct through intimidation or coercion. A specified offense is intentional killing; intentional infliction of serious bodily injury; kidnapping; aggravated arson; or intentional aggravated criminal damage to property. Depending on the specified offense the crime is punishable by up to thirty years or to life imprisonment at hard labor.  

MaineMaine
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2001
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits “causing a catastrophe” with terroristic intent by explosion, fire, flood, toxin, radioactive material, virus, or another vector or force that is “dangerous to human life and difficult to confine.” Terroristic intent means the intent to cause serious bodily injury or death to multiple persons or to cause substantial damage to multiple structures or critical infrastructure, for the purpose of intimidating a civilian population or affecting government conduct. The offense, defined as “causing a catastrophe”, is a class A crime punishable by up to 30 years in jail and a $50,000 fine.   

MarylandMaryland

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

MassachusettsMassachusetts

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

MichiganMichigan
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits knowingly and with premeditation committing a willful and deliberate act that is a violent felony; the person knows or has reason to know is dangerous to human life; and is intended to intimidate a civilian population or influence government conduct through intimidation or coercion. The crime is a felony punishable by up to life in jail and a $100,000 fine.  

MinnesotaMinnesota
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a felony that is a premeditated act involving violence to persons or property intended to terrorize, intimidate or coerce a considerable number of members of the public; and significantly disrupt or interfere with the operation of government, lawful commerce, or lawful assembly. The offense is punishable by up to 50 percent longer than the statutory maximum for the underlying crime.  

MississippiMississippi
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

MissouriMissouri
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

MontanaMontana

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

NebraskaNebraska
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

NevadaNevada
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2003
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits knowingly or intentionally committing an act of terrorism or attempting to commit or cause an act of terrorism. An act of terrorism is any act that “involves the use or attempted use of sabotage coercion, or violence” that is intended to cause great bodily harm or death to the general population; or cause substantial destruction or impairment of any building, communications, transportation, services, or any natural resource or the environment. There is an exemption for “coercion” that is an act of “civil disobedience”, but civil disobedience is not defined. The offense is a category A felony punishable for a minimum of 50 years in jail with eligibility for parole after 20 years or a maximum of life in prison without parole.    

New HampshireNew Hampshire

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

New JerseyNew Jersey
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2019
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing, attempting, conspiring, or threatening to commit a specified offense to promote an act of terror; terrorize five or more persons; influence government policy or conduct by terror; to cause by an act of terror impairment of public communications, public transportation, public or private buildings, common carriers, or public utilities or services; or influence or incite an act of terror against an individual or group based on their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or other specified characteristics. Specified offenses include murder, homicide, kidnapping, arson, certain damage to a nuclear plant, certain possessions of weapons, and racketeering. The crime is punished by at least 30 years in jail without parole. If a violation leads to a death the penalty is life in prison without parole.  

New MexicoNew Mexico

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

New YorkNew York
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2001
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with the intent to intimidate a civilian population, influence government policy through intimidation or coercion, or affect government conduct through murder, assassination or kidnapping. A specified offense includes murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, arson, making a terroristic threat, assault, use or possession of a chemical or biological weapon, first degree criminal tampering, identity theft, unlawful possession of personal information, money laundering in support of terrorism, or any attempt or conspiracy of the specified offense. The crime shall be punished by deeming the penalty one felony category higher than the specified offense. If the specified offense is a Class A-I felony than the penalty will be nothing less than life in prison without parole.  

North CarolinaNorth Carolina
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2012, amended 2015
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with the intent to intimidate a civilian population or influence through intimidation government activity. A specified offense includes murder; manslaughter; felony assault or use of force against a person; a felony that includes the threat or use of an explosive; or any offense that includes the threat of a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon of mass destruction. The crime is punishable by a felony that is one class higher than the underlying offense, except the crime is a Class B1 felony if the underlying offense is a Class A felony. Any property used or derived from the offense is subject to seizure by the state. Any person whose property or person is injured by a violation of this crime may sue to recover treble damages and attorney fees.   

North DakotaNorth Dakota
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2023, (terrorizing 1973)
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits any activity that is a violation of criminal law that is done in cooperation with a terrorist organization designated by the federal government that either involves weapons of mass destruction or violent acts or threats specifically intended to harm human life and intimidate, coerce, or disrupt lawful activity in the state, or influence government policy. The offense is punishable by a Class C felony, punishable by five years in jail and a fine of $10,000.

OhioOhio
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2012, 2021
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with the purpose to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; influence government policy by intimidation or coercion; or affect government conduct. Specified offense includes any violent felony, a terroristic threat, disrupting public services, or possession or use of a biological, chemical, or nuclear weapon.  The offense is punishable by an offence on degree higher than the most serious underlying offense committed, except if the offense is a first degree felony or murder, the person shall be sentenced to life without parole, and if it is aggravated murder the punishment will be life without parole or death.  

OklahomaOklahoma
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2010, 2016
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing an act of violence resulting in damage to property, personal injury or death, or threat of such action that appears to be intended to intimidate a civilian population; or influence or retaliate against government policy or conduct by intimidation or coercion. The offense is a felony punishable by up to life in jail. A person convicted of biochemical terrorism must also reimburse for the emergency response to the act of terrorism. 

OregonOregon
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2023
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with the intent to cause widespread sickness, contagion,  serious physical injury, death, or the disruption of services provided by critical infrastructure. It is domestic terrorism in the first degree if the specified offense is intentionally destroying or substantially damaging critical infrastructure or releasing a toxic substance in widespread contact with humans. It is domestic terrorism in the second degree if the specified offense is to attempt to commit domestic terrorism in the first degree or to intentionally possess a toxic substance with intent to put it into widespread contact with humans or intentionally possessing a destructive device with intent to destroy or substantially damage critical infrastructure. Domestic terrorism in the first degree is a Class B felony punishable by 10 years in prison and a $250,000 penalty. Domestic terrorism in the second degree is a Class C felony punishable by five years in prison and a $125,000 fine. 

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2006, amended 2017
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a violent offense with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence government policy by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of government. Violent offense is defined to be committing, or attempting, conspiring or soliciting to commit, any offense punishable by more than one year in jail that involves an act likely to cause death, serious bodily injury, or mass destruction. Mass destruction is defined as an act intended to or likely to cause serious damage to energy or transportation related infrastructure or public or private buildings, under circumstances “evincing depraved indifference to human life or property.” Such covered offenses could include a range of crimes including murder, homicide, assault, rioting terroristic threats, or vandalism creating costs over $1,000. If the underlying offense is a first degree felony the punishment is up to 40 years in jail and a fine of $100,000. Otherwise, the underlying offense shall be classified one degree higher.   

Rhode IslandRhode Island

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

South CarolinaSouth Carolina
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2000, amended 2001
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits a person from intentionally using, threatening, or attempting or conspiring to possess or use a weapon of mass destruction in furtherance of an act of terrorism. Terrorism is defined to mean activities that involve unlawful acts dangerous to human life that appear to be intended to intimidate a civilian population; influence government policy through intimidation; or affect government conduct by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. The crime is punishable by up to life in prison or the death penalty.  

South DakotaSouth Dakota
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2005
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; influence the policy or conduct of any government or nation; affect the conduct of any government or nation by assassination or kidnapping; or substantially impair or interrupt public communications, public transportation, common carriers, public utilities, or other public services. A specified offense includes any of the following crimes or an attempt to commit, or a conspiracy to commit, or a solicitation to commit them: murder, manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, riot, robbery, burglary in the first degree, arson, kidnapping, felony sexual contact, felony child abuse, or any other felony in the commission of which the perpetrator used force, or was armed with a dangerous weapon, or used any explosive or destructive device. The offense is a Class C felony, punishable by life in prison and a $50,000 fine.  

TennesseeTennessee
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002, amended 2011, 2021
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits violating the law of Tennessee or any other state or the federal government with intent, directly or indirectly, to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; influence government policy through intimidation or coercion; affect the conduct of government through murder, torture, kidnapping, or mass destruction; or to serve as premeditated, politically or ideologically motivated violence against first responders that results in loss of life. The offense is a Class A felony, punishable by 16 to 60 years in prison and a fine of $50,000. If the act of terrorism results in a loss of life than it is punishable by life in prison or the death penalty.

TexasTexas
yes
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2023
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing or conspiring to commit a specified offense with intent to intimidate or coerce the public; or influence via intimidation or coercion the policy or activities of government. Specified offenses include homicide, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, trafficking of persons, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual assault, terroristic threats, tampering with a consumer product, arson, interference with railroad property, bomb hoaxes, and interference with a radio frequency licensed to a government entity.  The offense is punishable by one category higher than the most serious underlying offense committed or conspired to commit. If the most serious offense is a Class A misdemeanor, the penalty is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum sentence of 180 days. If the most serious offense is a first degree felony, the penalty is a first degree felony with a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

UtahUtah

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

VermontVermont
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
2018
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits engaging in or taking a substantial step to commit a crime in the state with intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to multiple persons; or threaten any civilian population with mass destruction, mass killings, or kidnapping. The offense is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. 

VirginiaVirginia
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
yes
Support to Terrorism Offense
2002; amended 2007, 2017
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits committing a specified offense with intent to intimidate a civilian population or influence government activities by intimidation. Specified offences include murder, manslaughter, mob related felonies, kidnapping, malicious felonious assault, robbery, sexual assault, and arson. The offense is either a Class 3 or Class 2 felony, punishable by a minimum penalty of five or 20 years and a maximum penalty of 20 years or life in prison along with a $100,000 fine. 

WashingtonWashington
no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
1997
Domestic Terrorism Offense

Prohibits the malicious placement or use of an explosive devise near a building, public utility transmission system, or range of transportation infrastructure with intent to commit a terrorist act. A terrorist act is defined as an act intended to intimidate a civilian population, influence government policy or conduct through intimidation, or retaliate against government policy or conduct. The offense is a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison and a fine of $50,000. 

West VirginiaWest Virginia

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

WisconsinWisconsin

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.

WyomingWyoming

no
Terroristic Threat Offense
no
Support to Terrorism Offense
Domestic Terrorism Offense

There is no crime of terrorism.