The Terror Of Legally Fabricated Homemade Incendiary Devices

The Terror of Legally Fabricated Homemade Incendiary Devices

Joseph Parish

In its most unadorned implication, the homemade incendiary devices or as commonly referred to as an IDE, are bombs which are constructed and deployed in a manner, other than by conventional military means. The usual applications for such devices are in roadside bombs, or other planned explosive attacks. IDEs have been retained by just about every nation around the globe, and especially in those countries which possess a high level of terrorist activities. The most prominent users of these homemade objects are naturally the caldron of various terrorist organizations sprouting up around the globe. During the second Iraq War, these homemade bombs were extensively employed against American and Alliance Military Forces, and have become responsible for over 63% of the coalition deaths in that country. They have been utilized in every Mideast conflict, including Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The term Improvised Explosive Device originated from the 1970s by the British Army during the conflicts with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), at such time when bombs were constructed from agricultural fertilizer, and Semtex which had been smuggled into the country. Through acts of ingenious construction, these homemade contraptions resulted in the development of some extremely effective booby-trap devices. The IED apparatus incorporates a resourceful design intended to destroy both personnel and vehicles. Often in the past, the IEDs was employed merely to distract, or in order to disrupt the normal operation of the opposing force, or in some situations to facilitate an alternate type of attack. The option which appears on the table for fabricating these homemade devices consists of explosive structures, which either incorporate military grade, or commercial sourced explosive materials.

In the most elementary form, the IED is composed of five major components: the activator, the initiator or fuse, a container to hold the device parts, the explosive charge and finally a source of power which in most cases would be a battery. IED devices are effective against armored targets, including tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers, by the use of what is known as shaped charges which create an explosive penetrator. These damaging devices can be pieced together in just about any shape, and with a host of different types of detonators, explosives, initiators and penetrators. Popular antipersonnel IDE devices, include content such as ball bearings, or nails as fragmentation objects, in order to wound personnel resulting from the blast pressure. Triggers are accomplished by an assortment of methods which may include, infrared or magnetic triggers, pressure sensitive switches, remote controls, or deviously designed trip wires. When an IED is constructed by inexperienced builders, or with substandard materials the product becomes extremely unstable and often will pre-detonate resulting in the death of the maker. The sophistication involved in the IED construction depends upon the amount and quality of training that had been supplied to the construction technician. Although the standard components usually enclosed in the IDE are artillery shells, or high-explosive charges, there exists evidence that documents a viable threat that biological, chemical agents or radioactive components could be added to the device. During the Iraq war, it was discovered that chlorine liquid had been included in the IEDs.

IEDs are not modern constructed devices, and were frequently employed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese Forces exploited IEDs for both land, and river borne vehicles, with the resulting bombs being frequently built from unexploded American ordnances. These homemade devices were so effective that the bombs contributed to thirty-three percent of all the U.S. casualties in Vietnam. One popular style of device used by the Viet Cong was known as the “Grenade in a Can”. This simple booby trap consisted of a hand grenade from which the safety pin had been removed, and the grenade carefully stuffed into a tin can with a Tripwire attached. The tin can would then be set in place with the Tripwire being stretched across a specific path. When the wire is tripped the grenade would be pulled from the can and explode. Several versions of this booby-trap were employed by the enemy during the Vietnam War.

Here at home IDEs were used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were responsible for fabricating an IED with nothing more than ammonium nitrate fertilizer, nitromethane, and a small amount of stolen commercial explosives. Along with some sandbags to concentrate and direct the force of the blast, this IDE was placed into the cargo area of a rental truck and detonated next to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The result of this homemade bomb was 168 people being killed of which 19 were small children. During the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial March in Washington, a shaped pipe bomb designed to cause maximum harm was discovered before it could cause any impairments to the participants. This bomb was packed with fishing weights that were covered in rat poison. Fortunately, no one was injured. This brings up the main topic of this document, for on April 15, 2013, the Boston Marathon race was approaching its final leg seconds from the finish line, when several homemade bombs exploded causing death and laming of innocent civilians.

During the final moments of the Boston Marathon thousands of participating runners from around the world were on their way to the finish line in hopes of winning this acclaimed race, when several homemade bombs blew up only seconds apart. When the smoke from the explosions had finally cleared, 170 people had been injured with three of them dead from the blasts. There were multiple victims that had lost limbs, blood, while debris lined the street revealing a horrifying sight at the Boylston Street finish line. Images from the videos recorded sent chills down the spines of the viewers as the recordings displayed the tearful eyed emergency officials picking up the pieces from this tragedy. This brazen terrorist attack preyed upon the participants of an event that should have ended with cheers and happiness, instead of the fears it installed in the visitors from 74 different countries. Psychologically, this event affected people from all walks of life and from remote locations around the globe.

The problem with an attack of this nature is that the victims feel that they have absolutely no control over what happened. When this homemade bomb exploded the victims were caught up in scores of mixed emotions of helplessness and anger. The psychological reaction combined with these emulated emotions, the rabid fear, and relentless panic, could easily overcome the strongest of people. In the eyes of the world this unprovoked attack is seen as something that could very easily happen to anyone, at any time, since the equipment of choice was an easily constructed, homemade pressure canner bomb. People become terrified when events such as these begin to unfold. Usually, runners are accustomed to witnessing security as an assumed measure in events as significant as the Boston Marathon, but unfortunately, such deviant acts can take place under a number of different scenarios with all equipment built in one’s kitchen or garage.

One of the victims killed in the explosion was an 8-year-old boy. Imagine how this may affect the other children. Children tend to believe that death is an event which takes place after a long enjoyable life – it happens to grandparents and eventually to mom and dad. When such an event happens to a young child under these circumstances the other children experience it as a major psychological barrier. Out of fear for additional homemade bombs exploding, a child may readily develop anxiety of visiting public places, or even dislike the idea of attending school, or participating in popular after school functions. The young fail to understand that what happened was a rarity, and may never take place again. The marathons continue to take place as they draw thousands of spectators each year, and this is good, since it acts as a defiance towards those who would perpetrate such horrific bombings with homemade devices. This asserts some resemblance of having control over the situation, which most people at the time felt was taken from the participants by the exploding bombs.

After the bombing, these callous acts psychologically marked the victims for many years, so it can be shown that such events do in fact effect each and every person, whether they were directly involved in the race or not. It can be seen that not only does homemade bombs affect those at the event, but others as well.

In addition to the federal laws dealing with explosives, many of the states have their own requirements for building volatile devices. For the purpose of this document, this Title 18 United States Code, e.g., 18 U.S.C. Section 844 (I), along with Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 555, will be used as our citation reference.

Commercially made explosives have many legal applications, especially in the area of construction, however explosives are also employed for criminal purposes, such as the Oklahoma City Federal building bombing or the Boston Marathon, both of which killed and lamed a multitude of people. In view of the destructive power of explosives, it stands to reason that some sort of regulation would be placed on their construction and use by the federal and the various state governments. In America, this control is allocated to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as to the U.S. Department of Justice, to regulate the industry and to issue any necessary permits needed for lawful use. It is left to the Department of Transportation to regulate the necessary methods needed to ensure the safe transportation of explosives.

By law, the Attorney General must publish a yearly bulletin with a list of explosives which has been regulated by legislation. These include dynamite, as well as black powder, pellet powder and detonators, some of which may require a license or permit. The government defines a bomb as any destructive device which has the means to explode, an incendiary, or poison gas device, or any such combination of these listed items. All this applies to commercial grade explosives which are manufactured, or stored for legal purposes. A licensed explosive dealer may not distribute their products to non-licensed individuals, to anyone under the age of 21, or to such prohibited persons, such as an individual who may be under indictment for a crime which may be punishable by a prison term. Additionally, anyone who has been convicted of a crime and imprisonment for one year or more, state offenses of a misdemeanor nature, but punishable for a prison term of two years or less, and any fugitive from justice are also forbidden, Add to the list addicts, those with mental deficiencies, illegal aliens, those people who have received a dishonorable discharge from the military, as well as those who have renounced his citizenship in the United States. There are currently, no provisions within the explosives laws which deal with the home making of explosives and no Federal license is required. The closest that the law comes to these issues is the penalties for soliciting and conspiring to commit a bombing via using explosives which have been stolen or illegally acquired. Of particular interest are the specific penalties for possession of a bomb with the intent to commit a crime of violence or having a bomb on federal property. This is all well and good as long as it is a manufacturing company that falls under the control of the government; however, it does not have any jurisdiction over home brewed explosives.

According to Senator Charles E. Schumer home bomb making, using household stocked items is not illegal. In fact, the process is fairly simple and is readily accomplished with easily found household grocery store materials. The senator’s goal is to disrupt these loopholes and eliminate the Lone Wolf scenarios involved in public bombings. Schumer went on to say that radical terrorist groups can legally construct these bombs with materials such as ball bearings, ice packs or nails as well as from such over the counter items like black powder or fireworks. The senator’s proposed legislation would enable ATF officials to act prior to a device being built and a plot fabricated. The problem as Schumer sees it, is that if an individual is caught making such an explosive device within their home the law states that they have done nothing illegal.

During the congressional discussion of these homemade bombs, Schumer cited an article from an al-Qaida Magazine entitled “How to build a bomb in the kitchen of your mom”. Many would likely disagree with Mr. Schumer, since the average person does not read the magazines that this information was taken from. Even if it were illegal to make such devices the instructions could still be gained elsewhere by terrorist Lone Wolves. The current regulations tie the hands of the law enforcement personnel due to the fact that the LEO must wait until such time as a suspected home bomber commits an illegal act, rather than merely assembling the bomb. As discussed above, the current laws only make it illegal for established and licensed businesses to create explosives without a license, but do not apply to individuals.

During al Qaeda’s prime years, the terrorist group published a series of on-line documents known as “Inspire magazine”. This particular terrorist sponsored magazine is an English language online publication used as a means to reach the groups partners or the Lone Wolf prospects. Unfortunately, there are numerous extremists who are influenced by the do-it-yourself articles within this magazine. Within the pages are many documents outlining the construction of bombs from the simple to the more complex! The magazine was created to influence the minds of young American and British readers. The translated message began appearing in July of 2010 with a goal established towards encouraging terror attacks especially in America. One issue suggested that the followers of this organization, enter a Washington DC restaurant and begin open firing at the patrons while another suggested using a pickup truck to mow down the pedestrians. These and other communications are intended to radicalize individuals while strengthening the morale of the supporters, reducing internal dissent and simply justifying and legitimizing attacks in support of the terrorist group's radical doctrine. It is in the magazines obvious implication to inspire upcoming jihadist. The name of this magazine came from a particular verse within the Muslim Qur’an where the Muslim manuscript states "Inspire the believers to fight". Since it is basically a DIY type of magazine it tends to encourage the readers to submit their own projects and ideas as well.

This magazine has encouraged several hostile events here in America such as the 2010 plot involving the bombing the Portland Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony as well as instructions for assembling the Pressure Canner Bomb used in the Boston Marathon bombing. In the winter issue of 2010, it discussed methods of blowing up buildings. This magazine has taken the place of actual in person to person training at any foreign location.

So far there have been 14 issues of “Inspire magazine” released. These issues have covered bomb making instructions in issue 1. Various attacks on the US is highlighted in issue 2, 4 and 8 while in issue 3 they called for increased explosive attacks on US aircraft. Issue 5 concentrated upon the subject of "Arab Spring" and issue 6 was completely dedicated to the death of Osama bin Laden. Issue 7 was a celebration issue highlighting the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Issue 9 was primarily involved in emphasizing the value of suicide missions with Lone Wolf attacks being encouraged in issue 10. The May 2013, issue 11 was another celebration featuring the Boston Marathon Bombing. Car bomb attacks were the subject of issue 12, and issue 13 was concentrated towards making hidden bombs. The latest issue was concerned for various methods involving assassination operations upon political personalities and candidates in the upcoming American presidential race. The series acts as a refined text book in DIY terror.

Although in some countries around the world the magazine is banned and could carry a jail sentence if found in one’s possession this is not the case here in America. The federal government is not going to persecute an individual or send agents bursting into that person’s home because of reading “Inspire Magazine”. In the United States, this magazine has not been banned and is therefore not illegal to have or to read. The major point to be brought out here is the amount of bomb construction knowledge being passed around amongst terror groups using only ordinary materials.

Pressure cookers have been a companion of homemakers for a long period of time contributing to the kitchen pantry with quarts and pints of freshly stored fruits and vegetables. These specialized pots are used as a time-tested method of storing food for winter consumption. The major idea of pressure cookers is to elevate the temperature to beyond 212 degrees in an attempt to kill off any dangerous bacteria which may be present in the food. It is this characteristic of the pressure cooker which is exploited by terrorist groups in order to amplify the potential power when an explosion is set off within the cooker. These bombs employ the expanding gasses of a gunpowder explosion and maintain them under adequate pressure. The final rupture of the pot produces greater amounts of violence than one would normally obtain from the powder alone.

The concept of the pressure cooker bomb has been around for a vast number of years. These bombs have been detailed in use by the Maoists of India along with several Kashmir terror groups. An Algerian terrorist organization used the pressure cooker bombs in France as far back as the year 2000. Within the past few years anarchists in Greece utilized a similar design to bomb targets in Athens. It can be revealed by a review of history that the pressure cooker bomb is not unique to any specific terrorist group but remains a universal weapon for all such organizations. It has been reported that pressure cooker bombs have been utilized by an assortment of militant groups in India and Algeria and later in Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan. It was a pressure cooker bomb that was deployed in the attempted bombing of New York’s Times Square. The 1971 version of the infamous Anarchist Cookbook known for its explosive instructions even discusses the potential of using pressure cookers as a bomb.

The materials to make a pressure cooker bomb such as used in the Boston Marathon are inexpensive and readily obtained. The necessary instructions are widely available on the internet and did not first appear in the al Qaeda “Inspire magazine”, although the magazine did instill the inspiration for using the bomb at the Marathon in Boston. The building of these explosive devices is generally at the top of the training sessions at the in-person terrorist training camps. When a pressure cooker is employed as a bomb various types of explosive material is substituted for food and surrounded by shrapnel, such as ball bearings or nails within the pot. As an electrical charge ignites the explosive material the pressure inside the pot starts to build up until it gets to the point where it explodes propelling the shrapnel in all directions.

Since the death of Osama Bin Laden there has been a surge in what is known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS and as a result this terrorist group has decided to publish their specialty online version of terror known as “Dār al-Islām Magazine”. The magazine is currently published in French only, but it is suspected that an English language version will eventually find its way online.

In concluding this document, it comes down to the question of should the current laws be changed concerning the making of bombs at home? It is highly possible that the representatives in Washington could accumulate enough support to pass a bill through congress however the unlawful acts will still continue. One can remove the tools of destruction from the public, but the evil doers will still obtain what they need to bring about chaos and terror. In short, it would appear that a new law enacted and placed on the books would not eliminate those explosive devices being built and ultimately used.

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