For many terrorist organizations , chemical weapons might be considered an ideal choice for a mode of attack , if they are available : they are cheap , relatively accessible , and easy to transport . A skilled chemist can readily synthesize most chemical agents if the precursors are available . <!--this is principally about BW. Some political commentators dispute the practicality of chemical and biological weapons as tools of terrorism, however, stating that the effective use of such weapons is much more difficult than the use of conventional explosives, and that they are more useful in the fear that they generate.--> In July 1974 , a group calling themselves the Aliens of America successfully firebombed the houses of a judge , two police commissioners , and one of the commissioner 's cars , burned down two apartment buildings , and bombed the Pan Am Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport , killing three people and injuring eight . The organization , which turned out to be a single resident alien named Muharem Kurbegovic , claimed to have developed and possessed a supply of sarin , as well as four unique nerve agents named AA1 , AA2 , AA3 , and AA4S . Although no agents were found at the time Kurbegovic was arrested in August 1974 , he had reportedly acquired " all but one " of the ingredients required to produce a nerve agent . A search of his apartment turned up a variety of materials , including precursors for phosgene and a drum containing 25 pounds of sodium cyanide
bombed
1974 Los Angeles International Airport Bombing
Chemical warfare