FREE ESSAY ON TERROR: ARTHUR P. MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY

TERROR: ARTHUR P. MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Cause and Effect Paper 
It was planned for months; everything was in order for the day of April 19, 1995. Timothy
had all the ingredients together in the Ryder truck, gasoline, fertilizer, and a remote
detonator. The huge amounts of both could be detonated to create an explosion bigger then
a small nuclear device. The target was the Arthur P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma
City. Since the city street passed in front of the building Timothy McVeay could drive
his homemade bomb right to the front doors. After parking he got out and just walked
away, later when the amount of people in the building was at its maximum capacity he
detonated the bomb that resulted in one of the deadliest terrorist actions in America.
The number of people who died was 169, and more than a few of that number were children
from a kindergarten located in the building.
The effects of felt in America were far reaching from new laws passed, increased security
in high-risk places like Washington D.C., and the emotional response by Americans. 
This act also prompted legislators to pass new laws regarding the purchase of explosive
articles. Today a farmer cannot buy more than 20,000 pounds of fertilizer without having
a reference check made to ensure he was using the fertilizer for it's intended uses. This
is so they can keep tabs on large shipments so they are not used for terrorist
activities. The agency assigned to keep watch of the various purchases of fertilizer is
the FBI. It is their responsibility to go out to the farms and make sure the owners are
using the substances for their fields. 
Many people in Washington DC feel a large amount of pride because their city is the hub
of all the law making in America. But lately they have been feeling a different emotion,
frustration. They are frustrated with the fact that due to the Oklahoma City bombing the
Secret Service has closed the street directly in front of the White House to all but
foot-traffic. The Secret Service feels that there might be similar scenarios that could
develop much like Oklahoma City. 
The third effect was the fact that the nation came together. Very few many people in
America didn't feel the effects of this tragedy. Many people are used to hearing on their
nightly news about terrorism in other nations, but one in their own boundaries let alone
in Oklahoma shocked citizens of our nation. The people who worked in many other federal
building around America were in fear of their lives. Church going Americans started
prayer circles for the victims, and the injured people of the bombing. 
The bombing on April 19, 1995 sent shock waves through the American States, that caused
our nation to pull together in it's time of need, increased laws regarding the sale of
large amounts of fertilizer, the FBI's responsibility to increase, and the road in front
of the White House to be closed. The effects of this tragedy will be felt for long
periods of times in America. History books will retell the tale about how Timothy McVeay
ushered in a fear that will not leave America for a long time.