Weird Laws Per State Part 1

Humor 6 Minutes

I stumbled across this article from Reader’s Digest listing the dumbest laws in each state (alphabetically). I thought I should pass it along…lol

Alabama: No stink bombs or confetti

If you’re a stodgy school principal from a 1980s film, consider moving to Mobile, Alabama: Stink bombs, “funk balls,” and any object “the purpose of which is to create disagreeable odors” are strictly illegal there. Also illegal: “spray string,” confetti, and bathing in public fountains.

Alaska: No getting drunk in a bar

In Alaska it is illegal to be drunk… in a bar. Per state laws, a person who is already drunk may not “knowingly” enter a bar to drink more, or remain in the bar that got them drunk in the first place. Confusing and cruel? Yes. Outdated? Sadly, no—police actually enforce it.

Arizona: No spitting in public

In the town of Goodyear, Arizona, it is unlawful to spit “in or on” any public building, park, sidewalk, or road. Offenders may be charged a fine of up to $2,500 and six months in prison. And in case you need a reminder, it’s also just lousy etiquette.

Arkansas: Must pronounce state name correctly

Visitors beware: it is strictly prohibited to pronounce “Arkansas” incorrectly. Per the state Code, the only acceptable pronunciation is “in three (3) syllables, with the final ‘s’ silent, the ‘a’ in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables.” So keep your Arkan-sass to yourself—and while you’re at it, make sure you’re pronouncing these common food words correctly.

California: No nuclear weapons, obviously

It is illegal to build, maintain, or use a nuclear weapon within Chico, California city limits. A law that began in the ‘80s as a serious anti-nuke statement has taken on a second life as an Internet joke, mainly due to the purported consequences: In addition to self-annihilation, the infraction also carries a $500 fine.

Colorado: No catapulting

Sure, you may be allowed to own a catapult in Aspen—but you better not try discharging it, buddy. Flaming arrows, alas, are also off limits.

Connecticut: Pickles must bounce

A pickle cannot be sold unless it bounces. According to a 1948 article, this law became a necessity after two scheming pickle packers tried to sell pickles “unfit for human consumption” on the sly. Connecticut’s Food and Drug Commissioner at the time proclaimed that a real pickle “should bounce” when dropped from the height of one foot, leading to a new state regulation.

Delaware: Strict trick-or-treating times enforced

To prevent “mischief of any sort,” children in the City of Rehoboth Beach may only go trick-or-treating between the hours of 6pm and 8pm on Halloween—UNLESS Halloween falls on a Sunday; in that case, “such going door to door and house to house for treats shall take place on the evening of October 30” instead.

Florida: No selling children

We know that kids can be annoying but please remember that in Florida it is a felony to sell your children. You’ve been warned.

Georgia: Can’t eat fried chicken with utensils

For chicken chompers in Gainesville, Georgia, “finger-lickin’” is not a suggestion—it is mandatory. Thanks to a 1961 law added to the city code as a publicity stunt, it is illegal to eat fried chicken in “the poultry capital of the world” with anything other than your fingers. A tourist was “arrested” for such a chicken-forking violation in 2009.

Hawaii: No billboards

Hawaii’s natural beauty is an advertisement unto itself. To keep it that way, the state has officially outlawed billboards (with some exceptions) and aerial advertising, part of an “urban beautification” initiative that dates to 1927. These aren’t so much “dumb laws” as “laws that make us feel dumb for not thinking of them first.”

Idaho: No cannibalism

Idaho is the only state to have an active ban on cannibalism. Technically not a crime in the rest of the nation, cannibalism is defined as the “nonconsensual consumption” of another human—meaning, we guess, if you can get your buddy’s permission to eat his tenderloin, the feds can’t stop you.

Illinois: No “fancy” bike riding

Listen here, city slicker: Galesburg city law strictly prohibits “fancy riding” of any bicycle on city streets, particularly riding with both hands removed from the handlebars, both feet removed from the pedals, or “any acrobatic” shenanigans on your fancy velocipede. According to a Galesburg police officer, “I suspect the trick riding ordinance came during a time or concern about bicyclist safety and perhaps crashes involving bicyclists.” It is seldom enforced.

Indiana: Proper black cat etiquette on Friday the 13th

In the municipality of French Lick Springs, all black cats must wear bells around their necks on Friday the 13th. The rule was introduced on October 13, 1939, “as a war measure to alleviate mental strain on the populace,” and has technically been in effect since.

Iowa: No faking your butter

I Can’t Believe It’s Not A Misdemeanor! Any person who attempts to pass off margarine, oleo, or oleomargarine as real butter is guilty of a simple misdemeanor in the state of Iowa, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $625 fine.

Kansas: No snowballs

It may still be illegal to throw snowballs in Topeka, Kansas. Thanks to a weirdly-worded law in the city Criminal Code, it is unlawful to “throw any stones, snowballs, or any other missiles” at any person or property in Topeka, an ordinance that former mayor Bill Bunten publicly flouted by tossing a whopper at a snowy tree in 2005. “I’m going to have an ordinance drawn up to repeal this Dumb Law lest our already-crowded prisons are filled up with children who, while making a snowman, got carried away and had a snowball fight,” he later claimed.

Kentucky: No dueling

All public officials and attorneys in Kentucky must swear an oath that they “have not fought a duel with deadly weapons” nor acted as a second in another person’s duel. Good to know now; unfortunately, when the oath took effect in 1848, many would-be duelists turned to murderous street brawls instead.

Louisiana: No catfish stealing

In Louisiana it is illegal to steal someone else’s crawfish—like, really illegal. Meriting its own state law, crawfish theft in excess of $1,500 can land the offender with up to ten years prison time or a $3,000 fine. But mostly, they will have to endure the humiliation of being called shellfish for the rest of their life.  [Pat’s question: Are catfish and crawfish the same thing?]

Maine: Don’t advertise on tombstones

It is forbidden to post advertisements on another person’s tombstone in the city of Wells. Part of a lengthy list of cemetery regulations, this ordinance is really a favor to would-be marketers; nobody is a worse customer than a corpse.

Maryland: No cursing while driving

Making road rage even rage-ier, it is illegal to swear or curse upon any street or highway in Rockville, Maryland. Anyone caught swearing faces a misdemeanor charge, effectively having to add $100 to the city swear jar.

Massachusetts: No dancing to the national anthem

It is prohibited to dance to the “Star Spangled Banner” in Massachusetts, thanks to an excessively patriotic 1917 law. While you try to ponder what such a dance would even look like, find solace in the fact that this law could never actually be enforced, thanks to a slightly weightier document called the First Amendment.

Michigan: Bounty hunting encouraged (then not)

Until 2006, every citizen of Michigan was encouraged to be a bounty hunter. A 1941 act titled “An act to provide for the payment of bounties for the killing of starlings and crows,” offered any citizen a bounty of three cents per each starling killed and ten cents per crow—so long as they were presented in “a state of good preservation.” The law was repealed in 2006.

Minnesota: No pig greasing

Long winters can be boring, but that’s not a good reason to hold a greased pig contest in your parlor. Since 1971, it has been considered a misdemeanor to operate, run, or participate in any activity where a pig is oiled up and released with the object of being recaptured—and the same goes for “turkey scrambles.”

Mississippi: No limits on Big Gulp size

Mississippi believes in a person’s inalienable right to consume Big Gulps. Following former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s contentious attempt to restrict the size of soft drinks sold throughout the city, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed a law preventing his state’s lawmakers from enacting rules that limit portion sizes. Thanks in part to the “Anti-Bloomberg Bill,” one in three Mississippians remains obese.

Missouri: Tarzans not welcome

Prankish Tarzans, be warned: In University City, Missouri, it is illegal to “swing upon” another person’s motor vehicle and honk their horn for them.

Come back tomorrow for Part 2 and the rest of the states!

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Published by pat frederick

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202 thoughts on “Weird Laws Per State Part 1”

  1. Morning All!
    this morning (temp is warmer! 57*) when I was placing the hummer feeders out, I had one fly right in my face. I was trying to put it on the hook, and i have to stand on my tip toes to do so, and he landed on the feeder and then flew at my face, then back on the feeder. he was chattering at me–guess he wanted to eat in peace…LOL

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Morning! Exactly 57 here this morning, too. Yep, trying to scare you away. Heading to Norfolk this morning before it heats up to the 85+ they are predicting. I ordered the seed and suet blocks, as well as a silicone bowl for the feeder, on-line – let them drop it at my front door instead of me hauling it to/from my truck. Free shipping! Why not? Still no sign of my ISP but so far, connection remains – I’ll not disconnect it until they replace the POS router.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Morning!
        in a few weeks, I will start holding the feeder at the railing for a little while to see if i can get them used to me…if that’s successful, i will get out the single hand held flower/feeder to see if they will land on my hand

        Liked by 2 people

          1. i was able to do it two years on a row so far…in the middle of summer–there are tons of hummers around and it’s easier to get one to come to a feeder by itself–less competition

            Liked by 1 person

        2. I forgot – again – that the comments come with old posts and reposted one from waaaay back when….had to trash that and put up something generic quick – I pulled a Tweet you posted yesterday about ConRon, quick and dirty! LOL

          Liked by 1 person

  3. 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸
    @Travis_in_Flint
    Breaking News:

    The Attorneys for President Donald J Trump have submitted a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting a meeting. The attorneys stated “no President of the United States has ever, in the history of our country, been baselessly investigated in such an outrageous and unlawful manner.”

    I’m glad to finally see Trump fighting back and bringing it to the AG. This corrupt administration is attacking Trump at every turn and it’s time to go on offense. No more sitting around and waiting for the baseless attacks. Hopefully others in the GOP will grow a spine and help him in this fight!

    Who’s ready to fight back?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Citizen 817
      Citizen 817
      May 24, 2023 12:59 am

      @realDonaldTrump

      9h
      Just had New York County Supreme Court hearing where I believe my First Amendment Rights,“Freedom of Speech,” have been violated, and they forced upon us a trial date of March6 25th, right in the middle of Primary season. Very unfair, but this is exactly what the Radical Left Democrats wanted. It’s called ELECTION INTERFERENCE, and nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Clinton
    @614clinton
    I stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation. When I made contact with the driver I learned he did not have a valid driver’s license and was in the United States illegally from Mexico.

    I placed him under arrest and called ice to see if they wanted to deport him.

    I called for a tow truck and made a inventory of the items inside of the vehicle. Once I open the trunk on the vehicle I found hundreds of stolen driver’s license and social security cards.

    I was reprimanded for my actions and sent to a cultural diversity training class.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Lara Logan
      @laralogan
      Lara, OMG has just published this on Fetterman.
      Closest personal aid to the Senator said “He’d be okay with, like, overturning the Second Amendment.”
      And when selecting certain journalists to do a story with, they pick “the ones (journalists who)….will just say exactly what you f***ing want them to”.

      He even refers to some journalists as “puppets” because they “go along with our narrative.”

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Liked by 2 people

  9. 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸
    @Travis_in_Flint
    Breaking:

    Kari Lake has announced that she will launching the largest and most extensive ballot chasing operation in US History. She said they already have millions of dollars and thousands of volunteers committed. Ballot chasing refers to a program where voters who received ballots also receive a follow up to ensure they cast their ballot. Although this practice isn’t legal in every state, it’s a tactic democrats have been using.

    The legal system has failed the American people and in Maricopa they proved that the judges will always side with the left, even when the evidence overwhelmingly proves they’re wrong. Now it’s time to play their game and beat them at it! Too bad the RNC still hasn’t got on board

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Liked by 1 person

  14. Charlie Kirk
    @charliekirk11
    Joe Biden wants the GOP to cut military spending as part of the Debt Ceiling hike. The GOP should immediately take the offer and cut:

    Military LGBTQ poetry reading
    CRT classes from military academies
    Drag shows on military bases
    Pronoun “training” videos
    Drag influencer recruiters
    And all woke social engineering we’re exporting abroad

    Take the deal!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Citizen 817
    Citizen 817
    May 24, 2023 12:59 am

    @realDonaldTrump

    9h
    Just had New York County Supreme Court hearing where I believe my First Amendment Rights,“Freedom of Speech,” have been violated, and they forced upon us a trial date of March6 25th, right in the middle of Primary season. Very unfair, but this is exactly what the Radical Left Democrats wanted. It’s called ELECTION INTERFERENCE, and nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Jude
    Jude
    May 24, 2023 1:32 am

    Well…that settles that as far as I’m concerned.

    Earlier articles I had read indicated that RFK, Jr. was pro-life. This article clarifies that he is not. That means…for me…I’m done with RFK, Jr.
    I will not vote for anyone who is not Pro-Life.

    ‘RFK Jr. declares he would ‘keep government away’ from banning abortion as president’:

    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/rfk-jr-declares-he-would-keep-government-away-from-banning-abortion-as-president/?utm_source=digest-prolife-2023-05-23&utm_medium=email

    Liked by 1 person

  22. MAGA 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵
    @MAGAoriginalist
    Imagine having a friend, who is a celebrity, a multi-billionaire, a president, a historical figure, who saved your career, put you in a mansion, made your name, and would’ve potentially got you elected as president in just a few years with his endorsement—and you decide to throw this all away and unnecessarily stab him in the back at the will of his enemies, just to inevitably end up humiliating yourself and fading back to the obscurity you were once in.

    You will regret it for the rest of your life.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Tweet
    See new Tweets
    Conversation
    Laura Loomer
    @LauraLoomer
    Looks like the first official @GovRonDeSantis
    for President campaign commercial.

    And as predicted, the messaging is coming from his wife’s account because she’s the one who is really running his campaign and calling the shots.

    That’s why his staff have been coached to say “you can’t attack her or criticize her! She’s a cancer survivor.”

    They want to use it as a manipulation tactic to scare people off from criticizing DeSantis’s campaign.

    Don’t fall for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Laura Loomer
      @LauraLoomer
      Told you.

      And watch, you’ll see. Majority of the ads and messaging will be released from Jill DeSantis’s account.

      One of my sources told me months ago this was the plan (as I told all of you months ago) because they want to lure Donald Trump into attacking Jill so they can say he attacked a so called Cancer survivor during June, which is “National Cancer survivor month”.

      They want Trump to attack Jill the same way he went after Lyin Ted’s wife because if you haven’t noticed, Ted Cruz’s entire 2016 campaign and donor apparatus is backing DeSantis in 2024.

      Jill DeSantis is a professional victim and that’s going to be their whole strategy during 2024.

      Don’t fall for it.

      It’s manipulation and lies.

      Liked by 1 person

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  29. Our Take: “Mark my words: The Ron DeSantis Deployment, whether DeSantis is ‘in on it’ or not, will spell the death of Con Inc., the most powerful and subversive Narrative Enemy still remaining within the MAGA and America First movements.

    These are the same Wolves in Sheep’s clothing that showed you who they were during COVID, and in earnest during the 2022 Midterm Cycle. They’re about to choose a side, publicly, and tell EVERYONE who they are, once and for all. Just like Donald Trump wanted them to.

    The Media Industrial Complex deployed the DeSantis card WAY too early into the 2024 election cycle; that is, they deployed it BEFORE the 2024 election cycle. Why? Because Donald Trump baited them into it by appearing ‘weak’ on the eve of the Midterms, and by announcing his own run for 2024 in a move that seemed ‘premature’ to the Establishment.

    The Media then activated Con Inc., from the usual suspects at the Daily Liar on down the line. Ammunition spent. They fell into the Trump quicksand.” — Burning Bright

    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ron-desantis-presidential-bid-campaign-elon-musk-rcna85288

    Liked by 1 person

  32. EXCERPT: ““Before Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman checked himself in to the hospital for clinical depression in February, he walked the halls of the Senate stone-faced and dressed in formal suits. These days, he’s back to wearing the hoodies and gym shorts he was known for before he became a senator,” the AP reported Wednesday.

    “Male senators are expected to wear a jacket and tie on the Senate floor, but Fetterman has a workaround. He votes from the doorway of the Democratic cloakroom or the side entrance, making sure his ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ is recorded before ducking back out.” [Emphasis ours.]

    It continued, “In between votes this past week, Fetterman’s hoodie stayed on for a news conference with four Democratic colleagues in suits, the 6-foot-8 Fetterman towering over his colleagues.

    “The senator’s staff had originally asked him to always wear suits, which he famously hates. But after a check with the Senate parliamentarian upon his return, it became clear that he could continue wearing the casual clothes that were often his uniform back at home in Pennsylvania, as long as he didn’t walk on to the Senate floor.”

    This is prima facie absurd and yet another sign that the questions about Fetterman’s maturity — which started long before his lone debate with Oz demonstrated exactly how long his road to full cognitive recovery would be, if in fact he ever managed to travel it — still haven’t been answered.

    But don’t tell that to those in Fetterman’s orbit, who told the AP that skirting the Senate’s dress code and looking like a bum are just part of the senator’s appeal.”

    https://www.westernjournal.com/fetterman-uses-sneaky-move-get-away-wearing-hoodies-gym-shorts-senate/

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Freedom ring
    May 24, 2023 6:51 am

    IRS Chief: I Didn’t Retaliate Against Hunter Biden Probe Whistleblowers—It Was the DOJ

    In response to the whistleblowers who alleged that the IRS gave preferential treatment to first son Hunter Biden being abruptly taken off the case last week in what appeared to be an obvious retaliatory move, Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Daniel Werfel said that it wasn’t his call. Instead, it was the Department of Justice.

    It’s apparent that Attorney General Merrick Garland and the DOJ aren’t even bothering to pretend anymore to pursue equal justice for all. They—the very people in charge of upholding the law—think they’re above it.

    https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2023/05/23/irs-chief-i-didnt-retaliate-against-hunter-biden-probe-whistleblowers-it-was-the-doj-n750583

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I just checked at wolf’s and duchess has not posted her morning posts there.
      kea did not post any videos last evening on out site..so perhaps some are just busy?
      I did leave an fyi about Dave at wolf’s

      Liked by 1 person

      1. She is often late getting them posted and, apparently, one went into the bin – I expect M got her out. IDK but it just seemed that EVERYONE just dropped off suddenly to me….

        Liked by 1 person

  36. “Ban the Jab Update: Seminole County GOP Passed Ban the Jab resolution! 90-95% of vote!”
    DR. JOSEPH SANSONE
    MAY 18, 2023

    EXCERPT: “Shout out to Sheri Johnson and the Patriots at the Seminole County GOP. They passed ban the jab resolution with 90-95% of the vote. Seminole County Florida’s Republican Party is now the fifth GOP county Party in Florida to take a stand against genocide, and declare C19 injections biological and technological weapons. The ban the jab resolution also calls on the governor and legislature to prohibit their distribution, and the attorney general of the state of Florida to confiscate the bioweapons and conduct forensic audits.”

    https://josephsansone.substack.com/p/ban-the-jab-update-seminole-county

    Liked by 1 person

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  42. toothpick
    May 24, 2023 8:59 am

    Keep an eye on Craigslist

    DeSantis Allies’ $200 Million Plan for Beating Trump

    “A key political group supporting Ron DeSantis’s presidential run is preparing a $100 million voter-outreach push so big it plans to knock on the door of every possible DeSantis voter at least four times in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — and five times in the kickoff Iowa caucuses,” the New York Times reports.

    “The effort is part of an on-the-ground organizing operation that intends to hire more than 2,600 field organizers by Labor Day, an extraordinary number of people for even the best-funded campaigns.”

    “The group said it expected to have an overall budget of at least $200 million, including more than $80 million to be transferred from an old DeSantis state political account, for the daunting task of vaulting the Florida governor past former President Donald Trump, who has established himself as the dominant early front-runner.”

    It’s worth noting that Jeb Bush had a $150 million plan to beat Trump.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. interesting take on presidents and declassification

    Mike Robinson
    May 24, 2023 10:00 am
    Reply to clarion

    It is quite-literally impossible for a President or a Former President to commit any wrongdoing with regards to “classified materials.” In Navy v. Eagan, the SCOTUS confirmed that his plenary powers derive from Article 2 of the Constitution itself. As the “one-man Executive Branch,” none of the rules that could land you in prison for twenty years apply to him. It is impossible for one Branch of Government to “obstruct” another, nor can either of them tell him how he must discharge the duties of his Office.

    A former President keeps the highest level of security clearance and is entitled to receive [classified …] national security briefings every day forever. Trump had – and still has – the right to possess and to examine classified materials, and he stored them correctly. Whether or not he declassified them – which he alone could do “by his words and actions.” Or not. His choice.

    He has the exclusive right to decide which if any of his materials will be placed in the National Archives, and what security classification should be applied to them once there.

    A Senator or a Vice-President, or an FBI agent without clearance, does not have these privileges nor powers. Biden very clearly broke the law.
    Last edited 4 seconds ago by Mike Robinson
    0

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