50 USC § 2302 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t50/s2302"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "50 USC § 2302 - Definitions"
title_number: 50
title_name: "WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE"
section_number: "2302"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 40
chapter_name: "DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XIV, § 1403, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2717.)"
---


# § 2302. Definitions

In this chapter:

**(1)** The term “weapon of mass destruction” means any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of—

**(A)** toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors;

**(B)** a disease organism; or

**(C)** radiation or radioactivity.

**(2)** The term “independent states of the former Soviet Union” has the meaning given that term in section 5801 of title 22.

**(3)** The term “highly enriched uranium” means uranium enriched to 20 percent or more in the isotope U–235.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XIV, § 1403, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2717.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title XIV of div. A of , , , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title XIV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under  and Tables.