No, challenging someone to a duel remains a criminal offense in Arkansas under state statutes prohibiting public disturbances and threats of violence. While rare in enforcement, Arkansas Code § 5-38-201 criminalizes engaging in or soliciting duels, with penalties including misdemeanor charges and potential civil liability. Local prosecutors in Pulaski and Washington Counties have occasionally pursued cases under disorderly conduct provisions when duels escalate.
Key Regulations for Challenging Someone to a Duel in Arkansas
- Arkansas Code § 5-38-201 explicitly prohibits dueling, defining it as a mutual combat agreement with weapons, punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and/or $1,000 fines.
- § 5-1-301 classifies duels as “unlawful assemblies,” enabling law enforcement to disperse participants and charge organizers under public order statutes.
- Local ordinances in cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville impose additional permitting requirements for any simulated combat, with violations subject to municipal court fines up to $2,500.
Recent 2026 legislative proposals aim to clarify penalties for digital duels (e.g., staged fights shared online), but current law treats virtual challenges as equivalent to physical ones if they incite real-world violence. Courts have historically upheld convictions under these statutes, even for non-lethal encounters. Prosecutors may also pursue aggravated assault charges if weapons are involved or if participants sustain injuries.