Odd Laws Still on the Books
Dueling, working on Sunday and a face tattoo: real South Carolina sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the South Carolina Code of Laws.
Who handles this in South Carolina: SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the South Carolina directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawA duel | What it saysNo one may challenge another to fight with a sword, pistol, rapier or other deadly weapon, or accept the challenge. | Breaking itMisdemeanor, up to two years, and the loss of the right to vote and to hold office |
| The lawSunday work | What it saysOn Sunday no one may do the work of an ordinary calling or sell goods at retail, except work of necessity or charity; in Charleston County that does not apply to someone who keeps the seventh day as the Sabbath. | Breaking itSet by other sections |
| The lawA face tattoo | What it saysNo tattoo artist may tattoo any part of another person's head, face or neck. | Breaking itMisdemeanor, up to $2,500 or one year |
The Sunday chapter has other sections with exceptions not covered here. Many laws that sound strange are city or county ordinances rather than state law; this page covers only the Code. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- S.C. Code 16-3-410 — Sending or accepting challenge to fight
- S.C. Code 53-1-40 — Unlawful to work on Sunday
- S.C. Code 44-34-100 — Unlawful acts; penalties
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.