Prevention of Terrorist Access to Destructive Weapons Act of 2004

H.R. 5118, the Prevention of Terrorist Access to Destructive Weapons Act of 2004, seeks to strengthen federal laws against the possession and use of high-level weaponry by non-governmental actors. The bill would make it a federal crime to produce, acquire, or use surface-to-air missiles designed to target aircraft, radiological "dirty bombs," and the variola virus (smallpox).

For the average citizen, this legislation aims to increase public safety by establishing severe criminal penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, for those involved in the trafficking or threatened use of these specific weapons. Additionally, the bill expands the government’s authority to intercept communications and investigate money laundering related to these activities to better prevent potential large-scale attacks.