COLUMBUS, Ohio—When we think terrorism, it’s usually framed as threats from beyond our shores.

• In the wake of back-to-back shootings in El Paso and Dayton, many are calling for these gunmen to be labeled “domestic terrorists”
• In terms of the law, that categorization might not make much of a difference
• White nationalism, the KKK and Antifa are not defined as terrorist groups under the federal code

But according to the FBI, since 9/11, more Americans have been killed by domestic terrorists than foreign ones.

While the motive behind the Dayton attack is still unclear, the shooter in El Paso posted an anti-immigrant manifesto, claiming he was targeting Mexicans.

So why not charge him as a domestic terrorist?

Well turns out, you can’t.

According to a U.S. federal defender, no home-grown hate group is categorized as a terrorist organization, so you can’t be charged with terrorism for supporting one.

“White nationalism, the KKK, Antifa… those are all right now not defined as terrorist groups under the federal code,” said Sam Saylor, federal defender. “Now, Antifa might be defined as a terrorist organization under the Trump administration.”

Back in July, President Trump tweeted:

He made no mention of the same consideration for white nationalist groups.

According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League, 74 percent of murders in these domestic terror attacks have been at the hands of right-wing extremists.

24 percent of victims were killed by domestic Islamic terrorists.

And the remainder were killed by left-wing extremists.

Part of the reason domestic groups aren’t considered terrorists is because freedom of speech is protected by the Frst Amendment.