Strange question re: Dueling

[hyphenate]

Is dueling illegal now? Would it be considered murder or self-defence? If both parties to the duel were willing to do it, no matter what the outcome, and they were adults, would it be considered mutual suicide attempts, or would it be considered manslaughter? What if they signed documents that said they were going in with their eyes wide open, and knew the various outcomes?

And if they went out to the 2 mile limit into international waters, would then then get arrested upon return to land?

Perhaps do some of the states still have dueling on the books as legal? Would they be forced to use something like swords or other non-mechanical weaponry?

[madinmaryland]

1. Does Wild Zell Miller know something about dueling?

n/t

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. Duelling is illegal now, I think in all states

but the high seas scenario would work.

[atreides1]

3. I Think It's Considered Illegal

Technically yes, dueling is illegal. Even if both parties agreed, the courts are not bound by any kind of agreement that they come up with.

As for going into international waters, that would then take it to an international court.

The choice of weapons depends on the duelists, by tradition it is the challenger that is allowed to pick what weapon will be used.

[gordianot]

5. I choose a slow death by watching Fox news.

[ilovenicepeople]

9. Speaking of Fox News

Canada just OKed Fox News coming to Canada,or should I say Canaduh!

[gordianot]

12. Slow death for Canadians.

I wonder if they are facing the same morass of trash we are getting? Fox would go a long way to making that happen.

I was hoping Miller and Tweety would have at it. Since Tweety was challenged he could have chose his mouth and infuriated Zell to death.

[chicagiana]

6. No ...

At least thats not what the bald brit on "Conquest" told me.

The challenger offers and open exposition that he can best the challengee. The challengee gets to pick the weapons. Traditionally it is the seconds that arrange all the details as well as attempting to convince the duelists to settle peacefully.

Are duels illegal ... well ones that deal with maming or killing your opponents are. But boxing matches are perfectly legal, ergo challenging someone to fistfight would not be considered assault as long as the challenged accepted the proposition and no party permanently harmed the other.

[eataTREE]

4. It's illegal.

Something that is illegal is still illegal regardless of what documents are signed. You can't use a contract to break or circumvent the law.

A ship in international waters is governed by the law of the country whose flag the ship is under. Since duelling is illegal in the USA, it is also illegal on American ships.

[chicagiana]

8. Most "ships" aren't registered to the US ...

... most ships working the US are Norweigan. I'm sure if you registered your yacht in Jamaica, you can do whatever you like on board.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Why, did someone slap you in the face with a glove?

:-)

[hyphenate]

13. Not that lucky

Though there are some people I wouldn't mind slapping with a good leather glove.

Someone mentioned dueling on a thread, and it got me thinking about Hamilton and Burr. And then I always think of that stupid "Got milk" commercial with the guy and the peanut butter. :)

[The Spirit of JFK]

10. It's a state by state law

Although all states have anti-dueling laws from what I understand. Even agreeing to a duel is illegal in many states. It would be considered pre-meditated murder

Now if the duel was to first blood, as many of the duels (with swords, at least) used to be...well, then I think that's a whole other can of worms.

As a general rule, according to international sea law, a vessel in international waters must fly the flag of it's home state. Any crimes committed are under the juridiction of that state.

If there is any dispute in the matter it goes to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea..

[kskold]

11. Dueling

Dueling was generally illegal even when it was socially acceptable. Duels took place at dawn in out-of-the-way locations because local law enforcement might be sent to stop them. Duelists who killed their opponents could be forced to flee the country to avoid standing trial.

Kristen
long-time lurker, occasional poster