BOSTON — When Americans think about terrorist attacks, they usually focus on Osama bin Laden and foreign-based radical groups. Yet researchers say domestic extremists who commit violence in the name of their cause — abortion or the environment, for example — account for most of the damage from such incidents in this country.
These homegrown groups are seven times more likely than overseas groups to commit some kind of violence in the United States, a panel reported Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
David Caspi of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York said domestic extremist groups tend to fall into three categories: political, religious and youth culture.
Right-wing extremists spend the most time meeting, preparing and planning before committing a violent act — about 480 “events,” whether that is a telephone call or some other form of plotting, said Kelly Damphousse of the University of Oklahoma.
On a smaller scale are environmental activists who commit violence. On average, preparatory activities number just 59, he said.
While some domestic extremists travel long distances, most strike within 30 miles of where they live, Damphousse said. Environmental extremists tend to strike within 10 miles of home.
Tuesday is the most common day for an attack, he said. Right-wing extremists tend to be early risers, striking in the morning, he said, while left-wing activists wait until evening and environmentalists wait until after midnight.
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