Bomb making information on the internet

The availability of instructional information describing the fabrication of explosives, destructive devices and other weapons of mass destruction on the internet.

It is apparent that anyone interested in manufacturing a bomb, dangerous weapon or weapon of mass destruction can easily obtain detailed instructions for fabricating and using such a device from the internet. Available sources include not only publications from the so-called underground press but also manuals written for legitimate purposes, such as military, agricultural, industrial and engineering purposes. Such information is readily available to anyone with access to a home computer equipped with a modem.

With respect to weapons of mass destruction, there are a number of readily available books, pamphlets, and other printed materials that purport to provide information relating to the manufacture, design and fabrication of nuclear devices.

Bombmaking information is literally at the fingertips of anyone with access to a home computer equipped with a modem. To demonstrate such availability, a single website on the World Wide Web contains the titles to over 110 different bombmaking texts, including "Calcium Carbide Bomb," "Jug Bomb," "How To Make a CO2 Bomb," "Cherry Bomb," "Mail Grenade," and "Chemical Fire Bottle." The user can access and print the text of each of the listed titles.

The following titles are available over the internet: 1. Guerrilla's Arsenal: Advanced Techniques For Making Explosives and Time- delay Bombs (Paladin Press, 1994); 2. The Anarchist Arsenal (Harber, 1992); 3. Deadly Brew: Advanced Improvised Explosives (Paladin Press, 1987); 4. The Anarchist's Handbook (J. Flores, 1995); 5. Improvised Explosives: How To Make Your Own (Paladin Press, 1985); and 6. Ragnar's Guide to Home and Recreational Use of High Explosives (Paladin Press, 1988). Other texts, intended for military training, agricultural and engineering use, contain information equally useful to individuals bent upon constructing bombs and other dangerous weapons.

One internet text, captioned "Nifty Things That Go Boom," appears to be a computer adaptation of The Terrorist's Handbook (purportedly edited at Michigan State University). The publication contains chapters that describe and address the procurement (legal and otherwise) of necessary explosives, chemicals and other ingredients, the preparation of chemicals, techniques for transforming such substances into bombs and explosives, and the manufacture of fuses and other ignition systems. Another text purports to consist of the "Bomb Excerpts" from the Anarchy Cookbook. This text explains in minute detail how to construct dozens of different types of bombs and explosive devices, including fertilizer bombs, dynamite and other explosives made with chemicals and other substances that can be bought hardware supply shops. The text also details the ways that such devices can be employed following their fabrication.