# Justice Manual § 9-63.900: Federal Explosives Statutes—18 U.S.C. § § 841 - 848

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.900

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-63.900
- **Heading:** Federal Explosives Statutes—18 U.S.C. § § 841 - 848
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-63.000 - Protection Of Public Order / Justice Manual § 9-63.900

## Text

Three investigative agencies have potential primary jurisdiction to investigate violations under the Federal explosives law: (1) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); (2) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and (3) the Postal Inspection Service. The FBI and ATF have concurrent statutory authority to investigate violations of § 844(d)-(i), pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 846, and have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) delineating their respective roles. As a result of this MOU, ATF has primary jurisdiction to investigate regulatory violations of the explosives statute (§ 842); offenses against property used in commerce or affecting commerce (§ 844(i)); violations directed at Treasury buildings or functions; and, unless the explosives are mailed, interstate transportation of explosives with unlawful intent (§ 844(d)). The FBI has primary jurisdiction to investigate most other violations of § 844 (e.g., bomb threats under § 844(e), bombings or arsons of Federal buildings under § 844(f)), except those involving the use of explosives or the carrying of explosives in commission of a felony (§ 844(h)), which will be investigated by the agency having jurisdiction over the underlying felony. Unless otherwise directed by the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for exercising primary jurisdiction over all § 844 violations perpetrated by terrorist or revolutionary groups or individuals carrying out terrorist or revolutionary activities. The Postal Inspection Service has primary jurisdiction to investigate violations of 18 U.S.C. § 844 which are directed at United States Postal Service property or functions.
See
39 U.S.C. § 404(a)(7).

[updated January 2020] [cited in
JM 9-130.200
;
JM 9-139.020
]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-63.010 Overview](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.010.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.100 Aircraft Piracy and Related Offenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.110 Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.110.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.135 Negotiated Pleas for Aircraft Piracy Within the Special Aircraft Jurisdiction of the United States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.135.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.161 Prosecution Policy for Carrying Weapons or Explosives Aboard Aircraft (49 U.S.C. §§ 46314 & 46505)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.161.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.171 Prosecution Policy for False Information (49 U.S.C. &$167 46507(1))](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.171.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.181 Prosecution Policy for Aircraft Piracy Outside the Special Aircraft Jurisdiction of the United States (49 U.S.C. § 46502(b))](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.181.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.200 Destruction of Aircraft and Motor Vehicles and Related Offenses (18 U.S.C. § § 31 - 35)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.221 Prosecutive Policy for 18 U.S.C. § 32(b)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.221.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.231 Prosecutive Policy for Threats to Destroy Aircraft](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.231.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.241 Prosecutive Policy for Destruction of Motor Vehicles—18 U.S.C. § 33](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.241.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.251 Prosecutive Policy for Imparting or Conveying False Information (Bomb Hoax)—18 U.S.C. § 35](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.251.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.260 Death Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.260.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-63.500 Firearms Generally](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.500.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-63.900. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.