Every state has its own unique, rather strange laws that make you wonder where they come from and why they are still there. 

Some strange laws in states have since been repealed, or were never true laws after all, and rather just rumors that have circulated. 

Though, there are weird laws that can be found in U.S. states with just a simple search. 

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In New Mexico, some of the strangest laws include the playing of the national anthem as well as strict penalties for engaging in the tripping of a horse. 

Read more about a handful of weird laws in New Mexico below. 

1. New Mexico’s dueling law
2. Punishment for tripping a horse
3. No improper use of the national or state anthem

1. New Mexico’s dueling law

New Mexico still has a law that prohibits duels in the state.

An ancient duel was a planned fight between two individuals who engaged in combat to settle a disagreement. 

New Mexico is one U.S. state that explicitly bans duels in law.

New Mexico explicitly describes and prohibits duels in state law. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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Dueling law in the state is laid out in New Mexico Statutes Chapter 30. Criminal Offenses § 30-20-11, according to FindLaw.com. 

In the law, the definition of a duel is described as consisting of a person “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; accepting a challenge from another person to fight a duel with any deadly weapon, and whether or not such duel ensues; engaging in or fighting a duel with any deadly weapon; or aiding, encouraging or seconding either party to a duel and being present at such duel when deadly weapons are used.”

According to the statute, those who break the law are “guilty of a fourth degree felony.” 

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2. Punishment for tripping a horse

One head-scratching law in New Mexico is one that involves the penalty for tripping a horse.

The details of this law can be found in New Mexico Statute § 30-18-11, according to Justia.com. 

“Unlawful tripping of an equine consists of intentionally using a wire, pole, stick, rope or any other object to cause an equine to lose its balance or fall, for the purpose of sport or entertainment,” the law states.

Tripping a horse in New Mexico is against the law, and causing injury or death is a fourth-degree felony. (iStock)

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Under the law, an equine is described as a donkey, horse, pony, mule or a hinny. 

“The provisions of Subsection A of this section do not apply to laying an equine down for medical or identification purposes,” the law also states.

Those who break this law will be guilty of a misdemeanor, though if the horse is injured as a result of the incident, the penalty becomes more severe. 

“Whoever commits unlawful tripping of an equine that causes the maiming, crippling or death of the equine is guilty of a fourth degree felony,” according to the law. 

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3. No improper use of the national or state anthem

Many U.S. states have laws that revolve around the national anthem. New Mexico is one example of a state with such a law. 

In New Mexico, it is illegal to “improperly use” the national anthem or the New Mexico state anthem, “Oh Fair New Mexico.” 

This law is written out in New Mexico Statute § 30-21-5, according to Justia.com. 

Those who “improperly use” the national anthem, or the state anthem of New Mexico, are guilty of a petty misdemeanor, according to state law. (iStock)

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The law defines “improper use” as “singing, playing or rendering ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ or ‘Oh Fair New Mexico’ in any public place or assemblage in this state except as an entire or separate composition or number.” 

Those who break the law are guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

RIO COMMUNITIES, N.M. — New Mexico State Police reported that officers were investigating the deaths of four people in Rio Communities on Saturday. 

Teenager Diego Leyva was arrested for with shooting and killing four of his family members, according to police.

He was in court Monday for the first time, and he’s now charged with four open counts of murder.   

Levya is only 16, so KOB will not be showing him during any court proceedings.

Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Levya called 911 saying he killed his family, according to police. 

Valencia County Sheriff’s deputies responded first and said that Levya walked out of the house, drunk, with his hands in the air saying he killed his family.

When deputies searched the house, they found a handgun on the kitchen table.

Levya is accused of killing his brothers, ages 17 and 14, and his parents. 

They were all found with gunshot wounds. 

Monday in court a judge ruled he should be kept in jail ahead of a possible trial.

“Based upon the allegations and the circumstances surrounding this matter, the court is going to find that the child is a danger to himself and others, and the court is going to order that he be held in detention at this time,” the judge said. 

Levya’s defense claimed his should be released because he has no history of violence and some other family members were willing to take custody of him. 

The state argued he’s a danger to himself and society, adding that when deputies found Levya at the crime scene he was hitting himself over the head.

Monday, KOB learned more about his mother, Adriana Bencomo. She was a firefighter with the Rio Communities Volunteer Fire Department since 2007.

Fire Chief Andrew Tabet said he’s followed her career since she joined the department, adding that she loved her community and just wanted to be there for people their worst day.

“There’s more memories than I can even talk about,” Tabet said. “I’ve known her entire career. She always would make us laugh, even on a really rough call, she always had a smile on her face. She always had everything, and it was just that much more funny, because she truly cared if you were OK.” 

We still don’t know what led up to this alleged shooting or why Levya may have done this, but it’s very clear that this tragedy has hit this small community hard.

Belen Schools Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez confirmed Monday that Levya is a Belen High School student, and his 14-year-old brother was a Belen Middle School student. 

The district is offering additional counseling services to both schools, he said. Sanchez also said that other districts around the state have reached out to offer resources as well.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It’s the moment a lot of traveling foodies have been waiting for, the new food hall at the Albuquerque Sunport is open.

It isn’t completely finished, but holiday travelers will have four new spots to grab a bite. And while that might not sound like much, it’s more options than we had before during all those renovations.

Right when you pass security, you’ll see a new spot for the iconic Dream of Flight statue and new restaurants.

Sunport officials and Mayor Tim Keller unveiled the four new locations in the new food hall Monday:  Flavor of New Mexico, Rush of Prana, Panda Express and Dunkin’.

“At the beginning of 2022 we had a vision of making a change here at the Sunport. And that vision was also to take into consideration the sense of place in Albuquerque and New Mexico,” the city’s Director of Aviation Richard McCurley said.

McCurley also said they wanted to incorporate New Mexican culture and food, and he believes this project hits that goal. Some passengers noticed the four new options right away. 

“Everything looked different. My wife and I, right away, said, ‘What’s going on?’” Darren Watson said. 

Watson and his wife fly through the Sunport a few times a year to visit family. He thinks even phase 1 of the food hall is an improvement because there weren’t many choices before.

“You got quite a few options. Kind of fun you have a donut spot, you know, this healthy smoothie place, a little bit of everything going on here,” Watson continued. “So I think that’s a good change because, you know, a lot of times you get to the airport early.”

The Dream of Flight Statue is one of the main focal points in the hall, too. And now it sits on a stage. So as you wait for your flight, you can hear from performers like Jason Younis.

“This stage eventually is going to host musicians, demonstrating, artists, storytellers, all those things that are just touch points to our unique culture and traditions,” Younis said.

He explained moving the statue and adding a stage, gives people a chance to really sit and enjoy.

“What’s wonderful about this space it’s accessible, and it’s opened up to where there’s seating, where it’s not a passing through,” Younis said.

This is also just the beginning with more restaurants and shops on the way.

“We’re committed to roughly an 80% local mix, and that also includes extremely small micro vendors,” Mayor Tim Keller said.

Teller says Spirits is expected to open later this month and other locations like Cheese & Coffee, Steel Bender Brewery and more are expected to open throughout 2025.