Dumb/Crazy Laws

[IDS Judicial Overlord John Dibble]

This thread is to list dumb, crazy, or over the top laws that you know of.

Here's a couple I know of:

In Avendale, Georgia it is illegal to drive with a flat tire.

In Georgia it is illegal to bring a lion into a movie theater.(admittedly, someone actually did this)

[raymondluxuryyacht]

In South Carolina it is legal to beat your wife on the courthouse steps, on a Sunday morning.

[opebo]

This thread is to list dumb, crazy, or over the top laws that you know of.

Here's a couple I know of:

In Avendale, Georgia it is illegal to drive with a flat tire.

I used to always see people driving really fast on the freeway in St. Louis, with one of those tiny little spare tires.  Looked pretty dangerous, and from the look of the cars they were driving, they had no plans/money to replace it anytime soon.

[TexasGurl]

In Denver it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor.

[ATFFL]

In North Carolina if an unmarried man and woman ever go to a hotel and register as married, they are considered married by law.

[TexasGurl]

The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.

[IDS Judicial Overlord John Dibble]

This thread is to list dumb, crazy, or over the top laws that you know of.

Here's a couple I know of:

In Avendale, Georgia it is illegal to drive with a flat tire.

I used to always see people driving really fast on the freeway in St. Louis, with one of those tiny little spare tires.  Looked pretty dangerous, and from the look of the cars they were driving, they had no plans/money to replace it anytime soon.

No, the law isn't against driving with spares, it is against the law to be driving while the flat was still on the wheel! As if anyone could or would drive that way outside of a high speed police chase.

[Sibboleth]

Hmm... there's a lot of daft by-laws in certain parts of the U.K... but they don't apply 'cos of the Common Law legal system an' all that.

Just remembered:
In the U.K, anal sex is legal between two consenting male adults... however it's actually illegal between two consenting people of different sexes.

Oh, and after a few weeks at sea, you're exempt from Indecency/Gross Indecency charges.

[PBrunsel]

In Iowa you can not cross the street with an ice cream cone in your pocket.

In Iowa you can not throw a shoe at the bride durring her wedding.

[Redefeatbush04]

I believe there is a town in Oregon where it is illegal to "predict the future"

[khirkhib]

It's against the law in Willowdale, Oregon, for a husband to curse during sex.

[Redefeatbush04]

Yamhill, Oregon (that was the last one i posted)

It is illegal to sell your own eye in Texas (swear to dog)

[Grad Students are the Worst]

http://www.dumblaws.com/

There is a great site. Unfortunately, it's poorly fact-checked, it appears, in some cases. Somehow I doubt there was ever a law passed in Illinois prohibiting the speaking of English.

[True Federalist]

SC Code of Laws
SECTION 53-3-20. Frances Willard Day.

The fourth Friday in October in each year shall be set apart and designated in the public schools as Frances Willard Day and in each public school it shall be the duty of such school to prepare and render a suitable program on the day to the end that the children of the State may be taught the evils of intemperance.

[Gabu]

In Canada, you may not pay for a fifty-cent item with only pennies.

In BC, it is illegal to kill a sasquatch.

[12th Doctor]

Here are some:

A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.

No man may purchase alcohol without written consent from his wife.

If a motorist sees a horse coming down the road, the driver must pull off to the side of the road and cover the vehicle with canvas. If the horse is still scared the driver must get out of his car and take it apart until the horse isn't scared anymore.

In the Mount Pocono region any group of 5 or more Native Americans are to be considered a raiding party and may be killed on the spot.

In Philadelphia, you can't put pretzels in bags (based on an Act of 1760).

[12th Doctor]

Here are more:

Pennsylvania - back.to.main


 State Law

It is contrary to Pennsylvania law to discharge a gun, cannon, revolver or other explosive weapon at a wedding.

It is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. However up to 120 men can live together, without breaking the law.

It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.

Any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue.

A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.

You may not sing in the bathtub.

Fireworks stores may not sell fireworks to Pennsylvania residents.

A person is not eligible to become Governor if he/she has participated in a duel.

Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must take his car apart, piece by piece, and hide it under the nearest bushes.

Ministers are forbidden from performing marriages when either the bride or groom is drunk.

No more than two packages of beer at a time may be purchased, unless you are buying from an official "beer distributor".

All liquor stores must be run by the state.

Motorized vehicles are not to be sold on Sundays.

You may not catch a fish with your hands.

You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth.

Dynamite is not to be used to catch fish.

Though you do not need a fishing license to fish on your own land, but a hunting license is required to hunt on your own land.

 Local Law

Allentown

There is a ban on men becoming aroused in public.

Bensalem

Operators of bingo games may not advertise the prizes offered.
Persons convicted of felonies may not operate Bingo games.

Carlisle

In the middle of town, one must pay a fee of $50 dollars a year to park on a particular block. At night, however, the cars must be moved for street cleaning. This law is enforced even if snow or ice prevents the cars from being moved.

Connellsville

One's pants may be worn no lower than five inches below the waist.

Danville

All fire hydrants must be checked one hour before all fires.

Millville

The sale of alcohol is prohibited.
One may not shoot any dog that is found wandering the streets.

Morrisville

It is required that a woman have a permit to wear cosmetics.

Newtown

Every outlet or switch (which can be purchased for 59 cents) that is installed requires an electrical inspection fee of 1 dollar and 33 cents.

Pittsburgh

No one is allowed to sleep on a refrigerator.
It is still illegal to bring a donkey or a mule onto a trolley car.

Ridley Park

You cannot walk backwards eating peanuts in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance.

Tarentum

Horses are not to be tied to parking meters.

This is a good site:

http://www.justafreak.com/law/index.shtml

[Redefeatbush04]

Here are more:

Pennsylvania - back.to.main


 State Law

It is contrary to Pennsylvania law to discharge a gun, cannon, revolver or other explosive weapon at a wedding.
It is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. However up to 120 men can live together, without breaking the law.
It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
Any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue.
A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.
You may not sing in the bathtub.
Fireworks stores may not sell fireworks to Pennsylvania residents.
A person is not eligible to become Governor if he/she has participated in a duel.
Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must take his car apart, piece by piece, and hide it under the nearest bushes.
Ministers are forbidden from performing marriages when either the bride or groom is drunk.
No more than two packages of beer at a time may be purchased, unless you are buying from an official "beer distributor".
All liquor stores must be run by the state.
Motorized vehicles are not to be sold on Sundays.
You may not catch a fish with your hands.
You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth.
Dynamite is not to be used to catch fish.
Though you do not need a fishing license to fish on your own land, but a hunting license is required to hunt on your own land.

 Local Law

Allentown

There is a ban on men becoming aroused in public.
Bensalem

Operators of bingo games may not advertise the prizes offered.
Persons convicted of felonies may not operate Bingo games.
Carlisle

In the middle of town, one must pay a fee of $50 dollars a year to park on a particular block. At night, however, the cars must be moved for street cleaning. This law is enforced even if snow or ice prevents the cars from being moved.
Connellsville

One's pants may be worn no lower than five inches below the waist.
Danville

All fire hydrants must be checked one hour before all fires.
Millville

The sale of alcohol is prohibited.
One may not shoot any dog that is found wandering the streets.
Morrisville

It is required that a woman have a permit to wear cosmetics.
Newtown

Every outlet or switch (which can be purchased for 59 cents) that is installed requires an electrical inspection fee of 1 dollar and 33 cents.
Pittsburgh

No one is allowed to sleep on a refrigerator.
It is still illegal to bring a donkey or a mule onto a trolley car.
Ridley Park

You cannot walk backwards eating peanuts in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance.
Tarentum

Horses are not to be tied to parking meters.

This is a good site:

http://www.justafreak.com/law/index.shtml

Kind of makes you wonder what must've happened to get these laws passed.

I conclude that the guy who tried to use dynamite to catch fish was not successful and that the the guy who sang in the tub was a horrible singer

I also conclude that Danville is run by fascists.

[Gabu]

Ridley Park

You cannot walk backwards eating peanuts in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance.

?!?!?!?!??!

[J. J.]

I believe there is a town in Oregon where it is illegal to "predict the future"

Does that include pollsters?  :-)

[J. J.]

At the cemetary where I have my plot, it violates the rules to tie horse to a tree.

[12th Doctor]

Here are more:

Pennsylvania - back.to.main


 State Law

It is contrary to Pennsylvania law to discharge a gun, cannon, revolver or other explosive weapon at a wedding.
It is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. However up to 120 men can live together, without breaking the law.
It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
Any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue.
A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.
You may not sing in the bathtub.
Fireworks stores may not sell fireworks to Pennsylvania residents.
A person is not eligible to become Governor if he/she has participated in a duel.
Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must take his car apart, piece by piece, and hide it under the nearest bushes.
Ministers are forbidden from performing marriages when either the bride or groom is drunk.
No more than two packages of beer at a time may be purchased, unless you are buying from an official "beer distributor".
All liquor stores must be run by the state.
Motorized vehicles are not to be sold on Sundays.
You may not catch a fish with your hands.
You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth.
Dynamite is not to be used to catch fish.
Though you do not need a fishing license to fish on your own land, but a hunting license is required to hunt on your own land.

 Local Law

Allentown

There is a ban on men becoming aroused in public.
Bensalem

Operators of bingo games may not advertise the prizes offered.
Persons convicted of felonies may not operate Bingo games.
Carlisle

In the middle of town, one must pay a fee of $50 dollars a year to park on a particular block. At night, however, the cars must be moved for street cleaning. This law is enforced even if snow or ice prevents the cars from being moved.
Connellsville

One's pants may be worn no lower than five inches below the waist.
Danville

All fire hydrants must be checked one hour before all fires.
Millville

The sale of alcohol is prohibited.
One may not shoot any dog that is found wandering the streets.
Morrisville

It is required that a woman have a permit to wear cosmetics.
Newtown

Every outlet or switch (which can be purchased for 59 cents) that is installed requires an electrical inspection fee of 1 dollar and 33 cents.
Pittsburgh

No one is allowed to sleep on a refrigerator.
It is still illegal to bring a donkey or a mule onto a trolley car.
Ridley Park

You cannot walk backwards eating peanuts in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance.
Tarentum

Horses are not to be tied to parking meters.

This is a good site:

http://www.justafreak.com/law/index.shtml

Kind of makes you wonder what must've happened to get these laws passed.

I conclude that the guy who tried to use dynamite to catch fish was not successful and that the the guy who sang in the tub was a horrible singer

I also conclude that Danville is run by fascists.

Acctually, Danville is the fire hydrant law.  

And fishing with dynamite is a Western PA tradition.  Seriously.  It was quite common until the 50's.

[Gabu]

I'm still wondering what brought on the Ridley Park law.

[12th Doctor]

I'm still wondering what brought on the Ridley Park law.

Beats the Hell out of me.  PA is funny that way.  Local and state governments are very... how should I say... active.  Almost to the point of pseudo-facism.

[Gabu]

Now I want to visit Ridley Park so I can walk backwards eating peanuts in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance and then turn myself into the local police station for having done so.