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China’s recent ban on reincarnation without government permission – “an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation” – inspired our research editor extraordinaire Kara Kovalchik to dig up more examples of bizarre legislation on the books.
Being a Cow and Lacking ID in West Bengal, India
To prevent the smuggling of cattle into Bangladesh, Border Security Guards are issuing mandatory ID cards to cattle owners. The BBC explains: “Valid for two years, each laminated cattle ID card displays the picture of the animal and its owner. It also carries vital information about the animal, such as its color, height, sex and length of horns, the owner’s name and address and sometimes other details about the animal – like one ‘horn missing’ or ‘half tail lost.’”
This has not been easy on the cattle owners.
“I spent two whole days to get their pictures in a studio,” Farid Hussain told the Toronto Star. “One of my cows damaged the lighting system of the studio and I had to pay 800 rupees – half of my month’s income – in damages.”
Wearing a Bullet-Proof Vest While Committing a Murder in New Jersey
Thou shall not kill. But if thou does, thou shall not have any unfair advantage. “A person is guilty of a crime if he uses or wears a body vest while engaged in the commission of…murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping, criminal escape or assault.”
Seeking West Virginia Political Office with a Duel on Your Resume
West Virginians want elected officials who will metaphorically fight for their constituents. But not if they’ve ever actually fought. “Any citizen of this state who shall…fight a duel with deadly weapons, or send or accept a challenge so to do…or knowingly aid or assist in such duel, shall ever thereafter be incapable of holding any office of honor, trust or profit in this state.”
Sagging Your Pants in Mansfield, Louisiana
You’ve got nine more days to show off your crazy, sexy and/or cool underwear in Mansfield, a Louisiana town of 5,500 located forty miles south of Shreveport. Starting September 15th, anyone caught wearing sagging pants that expose underwear will be subject to a fine of up to $150 plus court costs – or face up to 15 days in jail.
Discouraging the Use of Manual Flushing Devices for Urinals in Utah
Keeping with yesterday’s public restroom theme, don’t let the Utah government tell you you can’t flush it yourself. “The department shall not promulgate any rules which either directly or indirectly prohibit the use of manual flushing devices for urinals. The department shall take steps to encourage the use of manual flushing devices for urinals.” Power to the pee-ers.
Wearing a Hooded Sweatshirt in the Bluewater Shopping Center in Kent, England
I would imagine you can find hooded sweatshirts for sale somewhere within this massive shopping mecca. But don’t get caught trying one on. Since 2005, Bluewater has banned hooded tops and baseball hats to prevent thuggish teens from hiding their true identities from security cameras. I guess the mall security detail does not have the power to enact actual legislation, so this is more of a code-of-conduct kind of thing. Regardless, they’ve also banned swearing.
Chewing Gum Without a Prescription in Singapore
Singapore’s 1994 caning of American Michael Fay was a big international incident to me. Even though I rarely left New Jersey, I was terrified of accidentally winding up in Singapore and breaking a law I didn’t know existed. Fay’s punishment was for vandalism, but every news story seemed to mention Singapore’s strict war on gum. The penalty for smuggling gum was a year in jail and a $5,500 fine. So this one I knew, but hadn’t heard the latest.
As part of a 2003 trade deal with the United States – with lots of help from the powerful gum lobby – Singapore agreed to relax the ban. However, gum is only allowed with a medical prescription.
For more weird laws, check out Becky’s previous post on this subject and all the great comments underneath. And if you know of or have been cited for breaking any strange laws, keep the list going.
Comments (33)
Comment
In South Carolina, it’s illegal for minors to play pinball machines.
20-7-8915. Playing pinball machines.
ARTICLE 30. JUVENILE JUSTICE
It is unlawful for a minor under the age of eighteen to play a pinball machine.
posted by Elizabeth Cook on 9-6-2007 at 8:12 am
Thank goodness somebody has banned sagging pants! I really hate seeing peoples’ underwear anyplace I go. There’s a reason it’s called UNDERwear.
posted by Korin on 9-6-2007 at 9:42 am
Keeping with the ‘I really hate seeing peoples’ underwear in public’ theme - can we make it nationally illegal for women’s thongs to stick out of their pants? Eeew.
posted by Lindsay D on 9-6-2007 at 10:25 am
^Agreed! But most importantly, I think there should be some sort of legislation stating that it is not appropriate for a woman to hike up her thong and rest the sides on her ‘muffin top’. I have seen this, and it is *not* pretty.
posted by Rose on 9-6-2007 at 10:38 am
In Oregon, it’s illegal to use corn as fish bait. I think I’m safe from prosecution.
posted by natlynn on 9-6-2007 at 11:20 am
In Oregon it is also illegal to dispense your own gasoline.
I recall the logic behind this was that self-serve stations would put too many pump jockeys out of work.
I vaguely recall another state had a similar law but can’t recall which one.
posted by Doc on 9-6-2007 at 12:10 pm
In Hawaii, it’s illegal to stick a penny in your ear.
posted by Rachel on 9-6-2007 at 12:20 pm
DOC: I’ve heard that that law is in place in New Jersey, also
posted by sd on 9-6-2007 at 12:26 pm
Reincarnation is probably illegal in china because tibet is a part of china. This gives the chinese government extream leverage in tibet because anybody that is proclamied as one of the next llamas will have to be approved by the government of suffer the consiquences. This is especailly important because the dali llama and other tibeten llamas are getting real old.
posted by will on 9-6-2007 at 12:36 pm
Yes we New Jersyites don’t pump gas, and its still usually cheaper than our surrounding states.
This is most likely for jobs, (officially, its because its a job too dangerous for citizens w/o training) I was raised in PA. But Funny thing is most people here didn’t know oregon is in the same boat.
posted by Eric on 9-6-2007 at 1:11 pm
How about “lama,” not “llama”. They’re not a freaking animal!
posted by Suzanne on 9-6-2007 at 1:35 pm
Just because something is distasteful doesn’t mean that it should be illegal. As much as I dislike sagging pants, I think that a law against is outrageous.
posted by Random guy on 9-6-2007 at 4:44 pm
I have to admit that I have nnoooo idea how to pump gas. I’m sure I could figure it out, but I’ve never needed to. Shameful.
posted by natlynn on 9-6-2007 at 4:49 pm
In Calgary Alberta Canada, a city of over 1 million people, all cars, vehicles and pedestrians must yeild the right of way to… horses. Yep, it is the home of the world famous Calgary Stampede but generally, for 50 weeks of the year, there’s not a lot of horses moseying through downtown (or any other part of the city for that matter) but just in case there is, be sure to give him the right of way, rider or no rider. As a footnote, riders on horseback can and do use drive through windows in Calgary. Quite a site I might add.
posted by Cindy on 9-6-2007 at 5:24 pm
The no self-pumping gas law exists in some towns in NY as well, including my home town. I had to be taught how to pump gas when I went to college. I understood it to be an environmental measure, because ‘professional’ gas pumpers were less likely to spill gas on the ground while pumping.
posted by Sara on 9-6-2007 at 6:39 pm
Other states make fun of NJ and OR for not allowing people to pump their own gas, but I’m from Ohio and I’ve had to pump gas in the early morning in the middle of February. That is NOT FUN.
posted by Rachel on 9-6-2007 at 6:46 pm
In actuality, buying gum in Singapore requires nothing more than walking into a pharmacy (as widespread as convenience stores) and signing your name (and possibly address) as well the number of gumpacks you’re interested in on a sheet. You can then wait in line with your fellow pill-poppers as the pharmacist fills out your “order”. :)
I don’t believe you get to choose brands, but since they’re teeth-whitening (and thus medicinal), they’re good enough for an impromptu teeth-brushing.
posted by popsciolist on 9-6-2007 at 6:52 pm
Here in Missouri horse thievery is punishable by hanging. Somewhere I have a book on crazy laws. Somewhere it’s illegal for women to drive unless a man precedes her on foot warning other drivers.
posted by Katie on 9-6-2007 at 7:44 pm
Here in Oklahoma it is illegal to go whaling - because, as a land-locked state we have many opportunities for that…
posted by Nicole on 9-6-2007 at 9:55 pm
In Mississauga, Ontario, Canada it’s illegal to have a red roof. Not even sure why but Pizza Hut’s make do with brown.
posted by TerryS on 9-7-2007 at 8:54 am
SD, thanks - I thought it was NJ, but didn’t wan’t to unfairly malign the Garden State, home of Atlantic City and 11 public officials indicted this week on corruption and bribery. I’m not sure if there’s more corruption there or if the officials are just too stupid to avoid getting caught…
posted by doc on 9-7-2007 at 10:09 am
There were a series of books that came out in the 60s and 70s, the first of which was called, “The New Jersey Pickle Ordinance” (Hmmm, NJ seems to be getting a bit of a showing here, eh?)
It was a collection of outdated or down-right silly laws. First I heard of it was when the author was on Jack Parr, then Johnny Carson.
A couple I recall:
The NJ Pickle Ordinance was that a nun was not allowed to eat a pickle in public.
There was one from Iowa that stated a motor vehicle had to be proceeded by 100 yards during daylight hours by a man on horseback blowing a horn. At night the rider had to wave a red lantern.
HOURS of amusement! Wonder if they’re still in print.
(Katie - horse thievery is still punishable by hanging in Texas and Arizona; there are probably more states with similar laws still on the books but I cannot provide specifics.)
posted by Doc on 9-7-2007 at 10:19 am
Random Guy-
THANK YOU!! i am sick and tired of people trying to legislate everything from morals to fashion sense. anybody of any gender walking around with their underwear of choice hanging out gets what he or she deserves: public ridicule and/or looks of disgust.
posted by mri on 9-7-2007 at 1:02 pm
>It is unlawful for a minor under the age of eighteen to play a pinball machine.
Only minors over the age of 18 may play? Kinda redundant and repetitive, not to mention redundant.
>In Oregon, it’s illegal to use corn as fish bait.
What? There’s no better bait for catching carp than canned corn (did that all the time when I was a kid). But then again there’s not much point in catching carp.
posted by Dave on 9-7-2007 at 7:02 pm
As for the New Jersey ban on self-serve gas, my grandfather is actually directly responsible for this law.
My grandfather owned several service stations in Northern NJ and in the 50s and 60s was the president of the Gasoline Dealer’s Association of NJ and lobbied the state government not to allow the introduction of self-serve in the state.
The real reason: Gasoline dealers actually make less money on self-serve gas than they do on full serve (don’t ask me how, but that’s what he always said). As usual, it all comes down to profit margins.
posted by Eric on 9-8-2007 at 9:22 pm
Regardless of your opinion of a person revealing his or her underwear, the fact that it is illegal is absurd.
posted by Julie on 9-9-2007 at 11:23 pm
There’s a new book out called You Can Get Arrested for That (Random House). These guys are going around the country breaking 25 weird laws (did you know it is illegal to peal an orange in an LA hotel room?).
posted by Meagan on 9-10-2007 at 11:47 am
I don’t know of any books, but I do know that there is a website dedicated to weird and unusual laws.
It is: www(DOT)dumblaws(DOT)com
I may be wrong, but I believe it is illegal to drive a camel down the highway in New Mexico. (I think it’s New Mexico, but I’m not sure. I remember it being one of the Southwestern states, though.)
posted by Adam on 9-10-2007 at 1:29 pm
I can’t remember which state, but one of them has a law that says that it’s illegal for a woman to get undressed in front of a picture/poster of a man.
posted by Beth Agejew on 9-12-2007 at 4:51 am
Does that sagging pants law apply to plumbers as well?
posted by Connie on 9-12-2007 at 6:40 am
Laws still on the books in Alabama
• A 1950 anti-obscenity law in Irondale, Ala., prohibited any showing of anyone nude or “in a substantially nude state” except a babe in arms.
• Anniston: You may not wear blue jeans down Noble Street.
• An ordinance in Linden, Ala., provided that all women of “uncertain chastity” had to be off the streets by 9 p.m.
• Bear wrestling matches are prohibited.
• Boogers may not be flicked into the wind.
• Children of incestuous couples are deemed legitimate.
• Dominoes may not be played on Sunday.
• Hunting is not allowed on Sunday.
• Incestuous marriages are legal.
• It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
• It is illegal to impersonate a person of the clergy.
• It is illegal to maim oneself to escape duty.
• It is illegal to stab yourself to gain someone’s pity.
• It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
• It is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street if you have a lantern attached to the front of your automobile.
• It is unlawful to wear women’s pumps with sharp, high heels.
• It’s against the law for a man to seduce “a chaste woman by means of temptation, deception, arts, flattery or a promise of marriage.”
• Jasper: It is illegal for a husband to beat his wife with a stick larger in diameter than his thumb.
• Lee County: It is illegal to sell peanuts in Lee County after sundown on Wednesday.
• Masks may not be worn in public
• Men may not spit in front of the opposite sex.
• Mobile: It is unlawful to howl at ladies inside the city limits.
• Montgomery: It is considered an offense to open an umbrella on a street.
• No persons may sell “blow-out nuts”.
• Peanuts are not allowed to be sold in Lee County, Alabama after sunset on Wednesdays.
• Pool halls may not be operated between 11:30 PM and 6 AM.
• Putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death.
• Slavery is still legal in Decatur, Alabama.
• The game of crackaloo is illegal in Fairfield, Ala.
• Women are able to retain all property they owned prior to marriage in the case of divorce. However, this provision does not apply to men.
• You cannot chain your alligator to a fire hydrant.
• You may not drive barefooted.
• You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time.
• You must have windshield wipers on your car.
posted by jwray on 9-12-2007 at 8:43 am
In Salt Lake City, UT it is illegal for the Great Salt Lake to rise above the height of the nearby railroad rails. Not sure who gets written up for that one . . .
We also can’t hail taxis, but must call a taxi company for a pickup from most locations. There are a few hotels that have the occasional taxi waiting, but for the most part they’re a scarce sighting.
posted by Larissa on 9-12-2007 at 3:14 pm
In California educational code says that if a student does not attend at least 3 years of high school, then they have to pay non-residency fees at any California college. Totally sucks for me because I graduated at the end of my sophmore year… :)
posted by Jacqui on 9-21-2007 at 6:09 pm