Commentary on Sections Terrorism Act 2000 Section 120 Weapons training for terrorists
316.Section 54 of the Terrorism Act 2000 makes it an offence to provide, receive or invite another person to receive instruction or training in the use of firearms, explosives or chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. A person guilty of an offence under this section may be imprisoned for up to ten years or receive a fine or both. It is a defence for the person to be able to show their involvement was wholly for a purpose other than terrorism.
317.Section 55 of the Act defines a biological weapon as anything to which section 1(1) (b) of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 applies, a chemical weapon as anything to which section 1 of the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 applies; and a nuclear weapon as a weapon which contains nuclear material as set out in the schedule to the Nuclear Materials (Offences) Act 1983.
318.Subsection (1) adds a new paragraph to sections 54 (1) and (2) of the Terrorism Act 2000 to cover training relating to radioactive material and weapons designed or adapted for the discharge of radioactive material.
319.Subsection (2) amends section 55 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Paragraph (a) substitutes a new definition for a biological weapon to include any biological agent or toxin which is in a form that can be used for hostile purposes. Paragraph (b) inserts a definition of a radioactive material as one capable of endangering life or causing harm to health. Paragraph (c) deletes the definition of a nuclear weapon, which is now out of date.