Dueling consists of any person:

A. conveying by written or verbal message a challenge to any other person to fight a duel with any deadly weapon, and whether or not such duel ensues;

B. accepting a challenge from another person to fight a duel with any deadly weapon, and whether or not such duel ensues;

C. engaging in or fighting a duel with any deadly weapon; or

D. aiding, encouraging or seconding either party to a duel and being present at such duel when deadly weapons are used.

Whoever commits dueling is guilty of a fourth degree felony.

History: 1953 Comp., § 40A-20-7, enacted by Laws 1963, ch. 303, § 20-7.

Cross references. — For definition of deadly weapon, see 30-1-12 NMSA 1978.

Purpose of antidueling statutes is to discourage and discountenance the settlement of quarrels by duel. State v. Romero, 1990-NMCA-114, 111 N.M. 99, 801 P.2d 681, cert. denied, 111 N.M. 77, 801 P.2d 659.

Dueling defined. — A duel is a combat with deadly weapons between two persons, fought according to the terms of a precedent agreement and under certain agreed and prescribed rules. State v. Romero, 1990-NMCA-114, 111 N.M. 99, 801 P.2d 681, cert. denied, 111 N.M. 77, 801 P.2d 659.

Duel distinguished from affray. — A duel differs from an affray in that the former is always a result of design while the latter is upon a sudden quarrel. State v. Romero, 1990-NMCA-114, 111 N.M. 99, 801 P.2d 681, cert. denied, 111 N.M. 77, 801 P.2d 659.

Characteristics of dueling. — A duel has none of the elements of sudden heat and passion. State v. Romero, 1990-NMCA-114, 111 N.M. 99, 801 P.2d 681, cert. denied, 111 N.M. 77, 801 P.2d 659.

Duels are generally fought under rules of considerable formality. State v. Romero, 1990-NMCA-114, 111 N.M. 99, 801 P.2d 681, cert. denied, 111 N.M. 77, 801 P.2d 659.

Conviction reversed. — Conviction for dueling was reversed, where a formal agreement to fight a duel could not be inferred from evidence that the respective combatants went to their home and car to retrieve their weapons, that they were facing each other as they were shooting, and that gunfire took place in rapid succession. State v. Romero, 1990-NMCA-114, 111 N.M. 99, 801 P.2d 681, cert. denied, 111 N.M. 77, 801 P.2d 659.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.— 25 Am. Jur. 2d Dueling § 1.

28A C.J.S. Dueling § 2.