Domestic Terrorism Research Paper

Words: 891
Pages: 4

Domestic Terrorism in America
Domestic terrorism is a problem that the world has faced since the start of civilization. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has a definition of domestic terrorism that is used in the U.S. code. In our recent history some events stick out more than others. The Oklahoma City bombing was a catastrophic event that opened our eyes as a nation. Many events have also made the headlines that are notable in our history. Finally there is an event that will change our history forever.
The FBI Definition of Domestic Terrorism
To be considered domestic terrorism, we need to know exactly what is considered domestic terrorism. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, domestic terrorism has three characteristics, the first characteristic involves “violent acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law.” The second characteristic includes “the act is
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Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others were shot during a public gathering held in a grocery store in Casas Adobes, Arizona. Six people died, Jared Lee Loughner pulled out a handgun and shot her in the head before shooting other bystanders. The news reports found the target of the shooting as Giffords (Lacey, M., & Herszenhorn, D. M., 2011). This event was strictly a mass shooting; Jared Loughner had one specific target, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The reason why this isn’t considered to be a domestic terrorist event is because the event did not the fit characteristic that the FBI defined. The first characteristic was met by being a violent, dangerous act that violates state or federal law. The second characteristic was not met because it was never intended coerce any group of people, it was simply pure hatred for Gabrille Giffords and a mode of opportunity to commit homicide in a massive level. The third characteristic was also met because the act happened on US soil but the act as bad as it was is not a domestic terrorist