Here Are Some Of The Strangest Laws In Different States |

It’s common knowledge that laws are put in place to regulate a state or country and protect those within it. However, things can sometimes get a little out of hand. In fact, there are many places around the world with very, very strange laws. We’re gonna focus on the U.S. and the weird laws that each state has. Are you ready for it?

Kentucky

In Kentucky, every legislator, public officer, and lawyer has to take an oath stating that they haven’t fought a duel with deadly weapons. This law entered the constitution in 1849 and was meant to deter men who aspire to public office from participating in the once rampant Southern tradition.

There is some evidence that suggests that trial by combat might technically be legal on a federal level – even today.

Florida

Those who happen to own bars, restaurants and other places where liquor is sold in Florida could be fined up to $1,000 if they take part in or allow any contest of dwarf-tossing. This was outlawed back in 1989 after the bar activity was caught in southern parts of the state.

In 2011, a Florida state legislator tried to repeal the law but with no success.

Colorado

If you want to modify the weather in Colorado, you’ll need a permit for it. Yes, you read that right. In some states, it’s legal to perform activities that create changes in the composition or behavior of the atmosphere.

Not only is weather modification possible, but it’s a lucrative business. Ski resorts in the state sometimes pay private companies to burn silver iodide on the slopes. What this does is carry the material into the clouds and stimulates precipitation. This creates a fresh sheet of powder on the slopes.

Washington

Almost all the doors to public buildings in Washington have to open outwardly. Anyone who violates this law will face a misdemeanor charge. However, there is an explanation for this one: to avoid any congestion during emergencies such as fires.

Idaho

Did you know that Idaho is the only state that has a law specifically against cannibalism? As it turns out, it is illegal – except under “life-threatening conditions as the only apparent means of survival.”

However, when it isn’t for that reason, it is punishable by up to 14 years.

Indiana

In Indiana, fishing is not a matter that is taken lightly. In fact, there is a law that states people aren’t allowed to catch any fish using their bare hands. Aside from that law being so oddly specific, what brought it on? What story led to this?

We guess any other kind of fishing is perfectly fine. Just keep your hands out of the water!

South Dakota

In South Dakota, it’s illegal to fall asleep inside a cheese factory. We wonder how many times people had actually fallen asleep inside cheese factories in South Dakota before this law went into effect.

Maybe that didn’t happen and this law is just a precaution? Who knows…

Arizona

Arizona seems to have the right idea in terms of manners. It’s illegal to spit in public in this state. More accurately, in the town of Goodyear, it’s illegal to spit “in or on” public buildings, sidewalks, parks, or roads.

Offenders can be fined for as much as $2,500 and serve six months in prison.

Connecticut

Connecticut seems to have a strangely specific pickle preference. A pickle cannot be sold in Connecticut unless it bounces. Yes, you read that correctly. According to an article released in 1948, this law was necessary after two scammers tried selling pickles that were “unfit for human consumption”.

At the time, the Food and Drug Commissioner in Connecticut proclaimed that a real pickle “should bounce” when dropped from the height of one foot. As they say, the rest is history.

Washington

Washington has another strange law. It’s illegal to kill Bigfoot. In 1969, Skamania County in Washington passed a law that said: “slaying of Bigfoot to be a felony and punishable by 5 years in prison.”

Later on, the law was amended, designating Bigfoot as an endangered species.

Oklahoma

People who happen to be nosy might want to avoid Oklahoma. It’s illegal to eavesdrop in this state. In fact, according to state law, “every person guilty of secretly loitering about any building, with intent to overhear discourse therein, and to repeat or publish the same to vex, annoy, or injure others, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

New Jersey

If someone in New Jersey is planning on committing some kind of serious crime, it’s best if they leave their bulletproof vest at home. If they’re wearing a vest and commit a grave criminal act, they can be charged separately for it.

According to state law, it’s a third-degree crime to wear a bulletproof vest while “engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping, criminal escape or assault.”

Minnesota

In Minnesota, bingo is a game that is taken very seriously. So much so that it’s only allowed two days a week. Up until 2015, Minnesota law limited nursing homes and senior centers to just two days of bingo each week.

Even if you’re visiting someone in a nursing home, you’re not allowed to play bingo with them.

Kansas

When it comes to cherry pie, Kansas does not mess around. At one point, it was illegal to top a slice of cherry pie with a scoop of ice cream. It’s not clear how this law originated or whether it’s still technically a law. All the same, it’s not enforced anymore, luckily for dessert lovers.

Hawaii

When driving through Hawaii, you won’t see anything that’s blocking the state’s spectacular scenery. This is due to the fact that in Hawaii, billboards are illegal. While there are a few exceptions to this rule, billboards are outlawed in this state.

The “urban beautification” initiative dates back all the way to 1927. It was created to preserve Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Georgia

If you happen to be visiting Georgia anytime soon, make sure you aren’t eating fried chicken with a fork – it’s against the law. This law was added to the city code back in 1961 as a publicity stunt. It forbids people from eating fried chicken with utensils.

As a matter of fact, a tourist was “arrested” for violating this law in 2009. Don’t worry, she was later pardoned.

California

California is a state that takes frog rights extremely seriously. According to state law, a person is allowed to have any number of live frogs for jumping contests. If one of them dies or gets killed, “it must be destroyed as soon as possible, and may not be eaten or otherwise used for any purpose”.

It’s most likely that this law came into effect for people’s health benefits. All the same, it’s strangely specific.

Arkansas

While this isn’t technically illegal, in Arkansas, there is a legislation “discouraging” incorrect pronunciation of its name. The provision specifically states that “pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of “a” in “man” and the sounding of the terminal “s” is an innovation to be discouraged.”

Colorado

In specific sections of the University Hill neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado, there was a law passed in 2001 that prohibited the use of indoor furniture outside. This means that couches cannot be on front lawns or porches.

According to the source, this law was made in order to protect the “public health, safety, and welfare” of the city’s residents.

Delaware

While you’re in Delaware, you should know that pawnbrokers are legally prohibited from taking artificial limbs. Specifically, it’s illegal for a pawnbroker to “take or receive as a pledge or pawn any artificial limb or wheelchair.”