In another one of those common-sense moves, KY State Rep. Darryl Owens (D-Louisville), prefiled a bill on Tuesday that would delete references to a ban on dueling from the state oath of office. As one might imagine, when the oath is taken, those who aren't expecting such references often chuckle. The oath says:"... I, being a citizen of this state, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God."Obviously just a tad bit out of date, the references to dueling in the oath, according to Owens, make the ceremonies, shall we say, just a little bit undignified.
"Every member of the General Assembly, all officeholders and every member of the bar must take this oath. I think that it is time we jump into the 21st century and delete this archaic language so the oath of office can be administered in a serious and respectful manner."The reason for the dueling ban, according to Owens, is that there were a significant number of duels between Kentuckians, prompting the Kentucky legislature to enact laws against formal duels, which imposed fines as well as a long period of disqualification from public office.
Then, in 1849, delegates to a constitutional convention added a provision that required all state officers to take an oath that they had never fought, seconded or issued a challenge in a duel. While the bill will be considered in the 2010 Kentucky General Assembly, which begins in January, it would require an amendment to the constitution (a public vote) to enact the measure.
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