A Silly Law From Each of the 50 States

Time for some fun....  Following are a list of strange and/or silly and/or dumb laws - one for each of the fifty states in the Union.

Alabama: In Mobile, it is illegal to scatter or use confetti or "spray string" in public fountains; it is illegal to bathe in a public fountain.  In the schools in that city, stink bombs, "funk balls," and any object "the purpose of which is to create disagreeable odors" are strictly illegal.

Alaska:  It is illegal to be drunk inside a bar.  A person who is already drunk may not "knowingly" enter a bar to drink more, nor can they remain inside a bar where they became drunk.

Arizona:  In Goodyear, it is unlawful to spit "in or on" any public building, park, sidewalk, or road.  The penalty is six months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

Arkansas:  You must pronounce Arkansas correctly.  The State Code says the only way 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."

California:  Inside the Chico city limits it is illegal to build, maintain, or use a nuclear weapon.  There is a $500 fine for breaking this law.

Colorado:  In Aspen, you can own a catapult, but it is illegal to use it.  Flaming arrows are also outlawed.

Connecticut:  A state regulation states that any pickle sold "should bounce" when dropped from the height of one foot.

Delaware:  In the city of Rehoboth Beach, children may only go trick-or-treating between the hours of 6 pm and 8 pm on Halloween; unless Halloween falls on a Sunday, in which case "such going door to door and house to house for treats shall take place on the evening of October 30."

Florida:  It is a felony offense to sell your children.

Georgia:  A law was passed in the city of Gainesville in 1961 making it illegal to eat fried chicken with the use of any utensil; you must use your hands and fingers.

Hawaii:  In 1927 the state officially outlawed billboards (with a few exceptions) and aerial advertising.

Idaho:  Idaho is the only state that has an active ban on cannibalism.

Illinois:  The city of Galesburg prohibits "fancy riding" of bicycles on city streets - including riding without both feet on the pedals, riding without both hands on the handlebars, or "any acrobatic" acts.

Indiana:  On Friday the 13th, all black cats must wear bells around their necks on a collar of some type, in the municipality of French Lick Springs.

Iowa:  It is a misdemeanor to claim margarine, oleo, or oleomargarine is real butter; there is a fine of $625 and one might spend up to 30 days in jail.

Kansas:  It is illegal to shoot a rabbit from a motorboat, as well as catch a fish using your bare hands.

Kentucky:  All public officials and attorneys must swear an oath that they "have not fought a duel with deadly weapons" nor acted as a second in another person's duel.

Louisiana:  Stealing crawfish is illegal.  Crawfish theft in excess of $1,500 can get the thief up to ten (10) years in prison and/or a $3,000 fine.

Maine:  In the city of Wells it is forbidden to post advertisements on another person's tombstone.

Maryland:  In Rockville it is illegal to swear while you are on any street or highway; the fine is $100.

Massachusetts:  In 1917 a state law passed to prohibit citizens from dancing to the National Anthem.

Michigan:  In the city of Detroit, you cannot allow your pig to run free - unless it has a ring in it's nose.

Minnesota:  It is a misdemeanor offense to operate, run, or participate in any activity involving a greased pig, or involving the chasing of turkeys.

Mississippi:  There is a state law that does not allow limiting portion sizes of food and drink.

Missouri:  In University City, it is illegal to "swing upon" another person's motor vehicle and honk their horn.

Montana:  In the city of Helena it is illegal to play Frisbee golf unless you are on a sanctioned course; breaking the law could cost you $500 and/or six months in jail.

Nebraska:  If you have any type of venereal disease it is illegal to get married within the state.

Nevada:  Using an x-ray device to determine someone's shoe size is illegal.

New Hampshire:  It is illegal to collect seaweed from any beach during the night.

New Jersey:  If you kill, or attempt to kill, someone while wearing a bulletproof vest, you've committed a second degree felony while committing, or attempting to commit, a felony in the first degree.

New Mexico:  Within the state, "indecent exposure" is defined as "intentionally exposing (one's) primary genital area to public view" -  but open viewing of buttocks is allowed.

New York:  Bagels purchased "as is" from the oven are tax exempt.  However, "altered" bagels - sliced, toasted, or served with cream cheese, etc - have an eight cent sales tax.

North Carolina:  Stealing used cooking oil, or grease, depending on the amount stolen, is either a felony or misdemeanor offense.

North Dakota:  In Devil's Lake it is illegal to set off fireworks after 11 pm on any day or night.

Ohio:  There must be "an adequate supply of toilet paper" with each toilet in underground coal mines.

Oklahoma:  It is illegal to wrestle a bear; and illegal to promote, engage in, or be employed by any "horse tripping" event.

Oregon:  Any "test of physical endurance" while driving on a highway is considered a "speed racing" offense.

Pennsylvania:  In Bensalem, no person convicted of a felony may operate a Bingo game.

Rhode Island:  It is unlawful to impersonate an auctioneer under the state's "false personification" laws.

South Carolina:  It is illegal to either work, or dance, on a Sunday.  Both laws are in the process of being repealed.

South Dakota:  Fireworks and/or explosives are allowed to be used by farmers to protect their crops of sunflowers; but they must be set off at least six hundred and sixty (660) feet away from any church, home, or school.

Tennessee:   In Memphis, panhandlers must obtain a (free) permit from the city, or be jailed.

Texas:  In Galveston, it is illegal to throw any litter or trash from any aircraft.

Utah:  Unless you are an appointed officer of the peace, or commercial security personnel, it is a felony to throw a missile into a bus terminal.

Vermont:  Women must obtain written permission from their husbands, if married, to wear dentures.

Virginia:  In Prince William County (I used to live there!), it is illegal to keep a skunk as a pet.

Washington:  In Whatcom and Skamania Counties, it is illegal to poach a Sasquatch (Bigfoot).

West Virginia:  It is illegal to use a drone or other unmanned aircraft to hunt birds.  Hunting dogs are permitted for bird hunting, but using a ferret will get you a fine of $100.

Wisconsin:  Any and all cows,calves and bulls have the right-of-way on roads and highways.  And a state law demands that all cheese and butter produced within the state must be "highly pleasing" to the taste.

Wyoming:  It is prohibited to buy any scraps, junk, or used items of any sort, from someone who is intoxicated.