In the neat little book I found, it says that there is a law in West Virginia that states:  “If any person post another, or in writing or in print use any reproachful or contemptuous language to or concerning another, for not fighting a duel, or for not sending or accepting a challenge, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be confined in jail not more than six months, or fined not exceeding one hundred dollars.”  So, long story short, it’s not OK to make fun of someone for not accepting a duel.

While it is sort of difficult to find online corroboration of this law, in related news The Associated Content published an article in May of 2007 that talks about another West Virginia law regarding duels.  The law predates West Virginia’s statehood, and is classified by WV State Code:  61-2-18 (written in Virginia in 1849) and states that “If a person fights a duel…and in so doing so inflicts a mortal wound, he shall be deemed guilty of murder…”

The article tells us that this law was enforced in April of 2007, when two men got into a fight about the amount of noise one man was making while he helped a woman move.  The man who was disturbed by all the noise confronted the noisy guy, they both grabbed their guns, and fought.  The man who was helping the woman move was mortally wounded, and the shooter was charged with breaking the law I just told you about.

So, how about that?  Dude is just trying to help someone move and gets shot and killed.  There oughta be some sort of Good Samaritan clause…

Related Stupid Laws:

1. West Virginia’s Anti-Stinkiness Thing About Ramps – School’s Out
2. Masturbation=Decapitation
3. Pampered Pregnant Pigs
4. Plague Prohibition
5. Indecent Exposure