No. Louisiana law strictly prohibits dueling as a form of mutual combat, classifying it under assault or disturbing the peace statutes.
Louisiana Revised Statutes §14:36 (Assault and Battery) and §14:103 (Disturbing the Peace) criminalize consensual violence, including duels, regardless of mutual agreement. Local ordinances in Orleans Parish further enforce these prohibitions, with the NOPD’s 2024-2026 public safety directives explicitly targeting historical reenactments or staged duels as potential public nuisances. While historical exceptions exist for ceremonial swordplay (e.g., fencing clubs under LSA-R.S. §40:1702), these require pre-approval from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety’s Office of State Police.
Key Regulations for Challenging Someone to a Duel in Louisiana
- Criminal Liability: Engaging in or facilitating a duel constitutes assault or battery under LSA-R.S. §14:36, punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months. Consent is not a valid defense.
- Public Order Violations: LSA-R.S. §14:103 criminalizes any act that “disturbs the peace,” including duels, with penalties escalating to 2 years imprisonment if weapons are involved.
- Local Enforcement: Orleans Parish Municipal Code §10-401 empowers NOPD to disperse duels as “unlawful assemblies,” with additional charges possible under city ordinances for public intoxication or firearm violations.