Introduction
Mutual combat is a term used to describe an agreement between two parties to engage in a physical altercation with each other, typically with no legal consequences. Mutual combat has a long history in the United States, as it was a popular way to settle disputes in the 18th and 19th centuries, with participants often engaging in boxing matches or other forms of unarmed combat. However, in modern times, mutual combat is not as prevalent and is generally viewed as illegal in most states.
State | Mutual Combat Laws | Brass Knuckles Legal Status |
---|---|---|
Oregon | Ilegal | With Permit |
Texas | Legal | Legal |
Washington | Legal | Illegal |
Alabama | Undefined | With Permit |
Alaska | Undefined | Illegal |
Arizona | Undefined | Legal |
Arkansas | Undefined | Illegal |
California | Undefined | Illegal |
Colorado | Undefined | Illegal |
Connecticut | Undefined | With Permit |
Delaware | Undefined | With Permit |
District of Columbia | Undefined | |
Florida | Undefined | With Permit |
Georgia | Undefined | Legal |
Hawaii | Undefined | Legal |
Idaho | Undefined | Legal |
Illinois | Undefined | Illegal |
Indiana | Undefined | Legal |
Iowa | Undefined | Legal |
Kansas | Undefined | Illegal |
Kentucky | Undefined | With Permit |
Louisiana | Undefined | With Permit |
Maine | Undefined | Illegal |
Maryland | Undefined | With Permit |
Massachusetts | Undefined | Illegal |
Michigan | Undefined | Illegal |
Minnesota | Undefined | Illegal |
Mississippi | Undefined | With Permit |
Missouri | Undefined | Illegal |
Montana | Undefined | Legal |
Nebraska | Undefined | With Permit |
Nevada | Undefined | Illegal |
New Hampshire | Undefined | Illegal |
New Jersey | Undefined | Illegal |
New Mexico | Undefined | With Permit |
New York | Undefined | Illegal |
North Carolina | Undefined | With Permit |
North Dakota | Undefined | With Permit |
Ohio | Undefined | With Permit |
Oklahoma | Undefined | Illegal |
Pennsylvania | Undefined | Illegal |
Rhode Island | Undefined | Illegal |
South Carolina | Undefined | Legal |
South Dakota | Undefined | Legal |
Tennessee | Undefined | Illegal |
Utah | Undefined | Legal |
Vermont | Undefined | Illegal |
Virginia | Undefined | With Permit |
West Virginia | Undefined | With Permit |
Wisconsin | Undefined | With Permit |
Wyoming | Undefined | Legal |
Mutual Combat Laws
Despite the popularity of mutual combat in the past, most states do not have specific laws related to it. This is because the legal system does not recognize mutual combat as a valid form of conflict resolution, and instead considers it a form of assault. Therefore, engaging in mutual combat can result in charges of assault and battery, even if both parties agree to the fight.
Only three states have specific laws related to mutual combat: Washington, Texas, and Oregon. In Oregon, mutual combat is illegal, and participants can be charged with disorderly conduct. In contrast, in Washington and Texas, mutual combat is legal under specific circumstances. In Washington, mutual combat is legal if both parties agree to the fight, and it occurs in a public place, and there is no serious bodily injury. Similarly, in Texas, mutual combat is legal if both parties consent, and it does not result in serious bodily injury.
Mutual Combat States
Washington and Texas are the only two states in the United States where mutual combat is legal. In Washington, the mutual combat must take place in a public place, and both parties must agree to the fight. Additionally, the altercation must not result in serious bodily injury, or participants can face charges. In Texas, mutual combat is only legal if it occurs in a public place and does not result in serious bodily injury. This means that individuals who engage in mutual combat in these states can do so without fear of being charged with assault, provided they adhere to the state’s laws.
States With Mutual Combat Laws
States | Mutual Combat’s Legality |
Oregon | Ilegal |
Texas | Legal |
Washington | Legal |
Mutual Combat Laws by State
Alabama
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Alaska
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Arizona
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Arkansas
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
California
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
California’s mutual combat law is currently undefined, which means that there is no specific law that permits or prohibits consensual fights. This common law allows two individuals to engage in a consensual fight as long as no deadly weapons are used. However, if the fight results in serious injury or death, both parties could face criminal charges. There have been several instances of mutual combat, including a fight between two men outside of a bar in 2012 that left one man unconscious. In another instance, a high school student in San Diego died from a punch in the face during a consensual fight in 2015, raising questions about the fact that the mutual combat law is undefined in California.
Colorado
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Connecticut
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Delaware
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
District of Columbia
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Florida
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Georgia
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Hawaii
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Idaho
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illinois
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Indiana
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Iowa
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Kansas
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Kentucky
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Louisiana
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Maine
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Maryland
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Massachusetts
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Michigan
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Minnesota
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Mississippi
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Missouri
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Missouri's mutual combat law is undefined, which means that there is no specific law that either permits or prohibits consensual fights. However, if a fight results in serious injury or death, both parties could face criminal charges. In 2018, a video of two Missouri teens engaged in a consensual fight went viral on social media which raised concerns about the legality and safety of such activities. In another case, two men in St. Louis engaged in a street fight that resulted in one of them being hospitalized with serious injuries.
Montana
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Nebraska
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Nevada
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
New Hampshire
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
New Jersey
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
New Mexico
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
New York
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
North Carolina
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
North Dakota
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Ohio
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Oklahoma
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Oregon
Mutual Combat Laws
Ilegal
With Permit
Mutual combat is prohibited in Oregon and engaging in such activities can result in criminal charges. The law is in place to prevent individuals from engaging in violent acts without consequence, regardless of whether the fight is consensual or not. There have been concerns about the ethical implications of allowing individuals to consent to violence as well, even if they agree to it beforehand. Ultimately, the state has deemed that the risks and potential harm outweigh any perceived benefits of consensual fighting.
Pennsylvania
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Rhode Island
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
South Carolina
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
South Dakota
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Tennessee
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Texas
Mutual Combat Laws
Legal
Mutual combat is legal in Texas, which means that individuals can engage in a consensual fight without facing criminal charges as long as no deadly weapons are used. However, the fight cannot take place in public and both parties must consent to the fight. In 2019, a video of a street fight between two men in Houston went viral on social media prompting a debate about the legality and morality of mutual combat.
Utah
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Vermont
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
Illegal
Virginia
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Washington
Mutual Combat Laws
Legal
Illegal
Mutual combat is legal in Washington, which means that individuals can engage in a consensual fight without facing criminal charges as long as no deadly weapons are used. However, the fight cannot take place in public and both parties must consent to the fight. In 2012, a Seattle man was acquitted of assault charges after engaging in a consensual fight with another man outside of a bar. The case prompted a discussion about the legal and ethical implications of mutual combat.
West Virginia
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Wisconsin
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
With Permit
Wyoming
Mutual Combat Laws
Undefined
FAQs
What states have mutual combat laws ?
There are only three states with mutual combat laws – Oregon, where mutual combat is illegal, and Texas and Washington, where mutual combat is legal.
Where is mutual combat legal ?
Mutual combat is legal in two states, Texas and Washington, but only under the condition that both parties agree to the fight.
In what states is mutual combat illegal ?
There is only one state where mutual combat is illegal : Oregon. Two states allow for mutual combat in their laws, and all the other states do not have specific laws for mutual combat.
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