When did Wisconsin outlaw dueling?

They didn't. We found nothing in the state statutes about dueling.

This doesn't mean you and a friend can do your best Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton impressions.

Be Burr if you do, by the way. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up.

Let's break dueling down. In its classic form, which we've all seen in numerous Bugs Bunny cartoons and Three Stooges shorts, the combatants stand back-to-back, weapons - usually pistols - cocked and drawn.

The two march 10 paces, turn, take aim and fire. Whoever doesn't die wins.

Why not march five paces and blast your enemy in the back? He won't be around to accuse you of cheating and do manners really matter if you're to the point of shooting each other?

Anyhow, it's not illegal to stand back-to-back, but discharging a weapon in public and shooting someone for fun sure is frowned upon.

Being ticked-off or inebriated is not enough of a mitigating circumstance to keep you from getting three hots and a cot for a long, long time in one of Wisconsin's fine correctional institutions.

Check Chapter 940 of the Wisconsin State Statutes: Crimes against life and bodily security. You'll likely be charged with either first-degree intentional or first-degree reckless homicide.

Don't give us that "I did it in self-defense" jibber jabber. You both agreed to kill each other with pistols, swords, etc.

Check Chapter 941 as well: Crimes against public health and safety, which details in several subsections just how illegal it is to wave a loaded pistol at someone in public

No matter how you look at it, dueling just isn't a positive way to resolve a conflict. Try rock, paper, scissors, or thumb wrestling the next time you and a friend decide dueling is the answer.

Does Wisconsin have a "lemon law?"

This is one of the more popular questions in GYA-dom.

A "lemon law" is in force in the Badger State. The Department of Transportation Web site deals extensively with the lemon law. Check it out at:

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/consumer/rights/lemonlaw

Stop by the Racine Public Library if you lack Internet access. Or keep reading.

A car is a lemon if it's a new vehicle, less than one year old and still under warranty with: a serious defect the dealer can't fix in four tries; or one or many defects that prevent using it for a total of 30 days.

A defect, under the lemon law, must seriously affect the use, value or safety of the vehicle, and must be covered by warranty.

If you believe you might own a lemon, paperwork is key. Keep repair orders, warranties, contracts - anything you think will document your issue.

A form is available on the DOT Web site if you need to ask the manufacturer for a refund or new vehicle.

Consider retaining a lawyer if the situation is severe. Check the Web or call the DOT at (800) 924-3570 for more complete information.

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