New Mexico
Strange laws in New Mexico, including trouble for tripping a horse
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Some strange laws in states have since been repealed, or were never true laws after all, and rather just rumors that have circulated.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.
Among the strange laws in New Mexico include ones involving tripping a horse and calling for a duel. (iStock)
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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.
- New Mexico’s dueling law
- Punishment for tripping a horse
- 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.
SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah has passed away in his sleep unexpectedly Saturday in New Mexico, according to a news release from The Church.
Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died from a medical cause that has not been determined, Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement.
According to The Church, Martin had been serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission since May 2024. He was from Salem, Utah.
Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died in his sleep on Jan. 3 from a medical cause that has yet to be determined. He was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries. We pray they will find comfort and strength through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the Savior’s love as they honor Elder Martin’s life and devoted missionary service,” the statement said.
According to the release, an autopsy is planned.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Southeastern New Mexico will see some snow while other places will generally see cooler, more winter-like temperatures. See the latest conditions at KOB.com/Weather.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Some notable cities in New Mexico could see multiple inches of snow, along with possible wind and cooler temperatures Sunday into Monday.
There is going to be snow across the southeast. A winter storm advisory is in effect all throughout areas like Ruidoso and out toward the Texas state line. A winter storm warning for Carlsbad and even a blizzard warning for the Guadalupe Mountains. These advisories and warnings indicate it’s going to continue until Monday at 6 p.m.
How much snow might there be? Ruidoso could see a few inches, along with other higher-elevation areas. Carlsbad might even see as much as two inches and Roswell has a very good chance of snow.
Wind gusts ranged from 23 mph for Hobbs and Clovis, 25 in Santa Rosa and similar readings in other places. Temperatures could hit sub-freezing temperatures in places like Ruidoso, Roswell, Carlsbad and Hobbs. Meanwhile, Gallup and Grants could get into the single-digits. Plus, places like Albuquerque and Santa Fe will be in the 20s but the big “winner” is Alamosa, Colorado, with 2 degrees.
Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia shares all the details in his full forecast in the video above.
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