Laws are supposed to keep things in order, but some rules leave us scratching our heads. From silly to sensible, these strange laws make us wonder what inspired them. They may not always make sense, but they certainly make history more interesting.
1. Alabama: No Driving Blindfolded

Would love to hear the story behind this one, but whatever its provenance, Alabama is pretty serious about not driving blindfolded. Maybe it was a dare gone bad?
2. Alaska: Don’t Push a Moose

In Alaska, it’s against the law to push a live moose out of an airplane. We’re not sure why this needed clarification, or how often it’s invoked, but here we are.
3. Arizona: Donkeys in Bathtubs

Arizona bans donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs. This law came about after a flood washed a donkey in a bathtub down the valley, leading to a chaotic rescue mission. The law doesn’t say anything about donkeys standing in bathtubs, however.
4. Arkansas: Don’t Harass the Sandwiches

In Arkansas, it’s illegal to honk your car horn near a restaurant that serves cold drinks and sandwiches after 9pm. Guessing someone got a little bit hangry?
5. California: Frog Jumping Contests

In California, frogs used in frog-jumping contests cannot be eaten. And we have to agree with this one. These champions deserve a dignified retirement.
6. Colorado: Banish the Couch

In Colorado, it’s illegal to place couches outside. Apparently, the University of Colorado had a problem with students setting fire to old couches outdoors. So much for porch lounging.
7. Connecticut: Pickle Protocol

In Connecticut, a pickle must bounce to be considered a pickle. It’s not just a snack; it’s a standard. No floppy gherkins allowed.
8. Delaware: No Peddling Dog Hair

In Delaware, “a person is guilty of the unlawful trade in dog or cat by-products in the second degree” if they sell dog or cat hair. Guess they’ll have to drive up Zyrtec sales with something else.
9. Florida: Animal Parking Tickets

This one’s a throwback to the 1920’s when Ringling Bros. was based in Florida. Animals—including horses, camels, and elephants—count as any other vehicle, parking-wise.
10. Georgia: Fried Chicken Fiasco

In Gainesville, Georgia, it’s illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork. What can we say? True Southerners use their hands.
11. Hawaii: No Coins in Ears

Though this one sounds like one too many magic tricks gone awry, the real story has more to do with protecting the Kingdom of Hawaii coinage after they joined the United States.
12. Idaho: No Cannibalism

Cannibalism is illegal in Idaho, except in life-or-death situations. It’s a rule with some grim implications, and yet it’s surprisingly practical.
13. Illinois: Fancy Bike Rules

In Galesburg, Illinois, it’s illegal to ride a bike with no hands. As it should be. Safety comes first, even for daredevils.
14. Indiana: No Extreme Fishing

Indiana forbids fishing with dynamite, guns, or your bare hands. Fishing is all about stillness and patience, not explosions. Though the bare hands thing is puzzling. No Catfish noodling in Indiana?
15. Iowa: Keep Your Bricks to Yourself

In Iowa, throwing a brick onto a highway is strictly prohibited without the permission of your City Council. Which seems logical, but now we’re wondering how often those exceptions happen.
16. Kansas: Ice Cream Troubles

In Kansas, serving ice cream on cherry pie was once illegal. Thankfully, dessert is deemed safe to consume once again.
17. Kentucky: Fourth Time’s No Charm

In Kentucky, it’s illegal for a woman to marry the same man four times. We really, really want to hear this origin story. Sounds like she needed an intervention.
18. Louisiana: No Pizza Surprises

Sending someone an unrequested pizza in Louisiana is considered harassment. We don’t see the harm, but practical jokers, take note.
19. Maine: Dunkin’ Donuts Etiquette

In the city of South Berwick, Maine, parking in front of Dunkin’ Donuts is strictly prohibited. Traffic management or coffee loyalty?
20. Maryland: Polite Driving

In Rockville, Maryland, it’s illegal to curse while driving. Which seems difficult to enforce, to put it mildly. Keep it clean behind the wheel, folks.
21. Massachusetts: Respect the Anthem

In Massachusetts, dancing to the national anthem is prohibited. Show your patriotism by standing still, ya heathens.
22. Michigan: No Car Sales on the Lord’s Day

In Michigan, it’s illegal to sell, trade, or buy a motor vehicle on a Sunday. For religious reasons. Stay faithful in the Great Lakes State.
23. Minnesota: No Pig Wrestling

Minnesota bans contests involving greased pigs. The jury is still out on dry pigs. Clean fun is the way to go.
24. Mississippi: Politeness in Public

Swearing in public in Mississippi can result in a fine. What a fine, upstanding law. Southern manners are serious business in the Magnolia State, naturally.
25. Missouri: Bear Control

Missouri outlaws bear wrestling, for the welfare of the animal (and, we suspect, the other party) in question. Bear hugs, however, are still perfectly legal.
26. Montana: Mind the Tracks

Montana prohibits leaving sheep on railroad tracks. Which sounds like the nefarious plot of a mustache-twirling silent film villain. But in reality, it’s all about keeping train routes clear.
27. Nebraska: Marriage and Health

Nebraska bans people with STDs from marrying. And “the marriage of one afflicted with venereal disease is not void but voidable.” So… keep that in mind.
28. Nevada: Sidewalk Naps

In Reno, Nevada, it’s illegal to lie down—or even sit—on a sidewalks. It’s in an effort to keep pedestrian traffic jams from forming. Keep it moving, tourists.
29. New Hampshire: Seaweed Timing

In New Hampshire, you can’t harvest seaweed from a beach at night. Let’s all do what we can to preserve marine peace after dark, shall we?
30. New Jersey: Crime Doesn’t Get Protection

New Jersey punishes criminals who wear bulletproof vests. That’s people who’ve committed, or attempted to commit, a crime. No coddling the bad guys.
31. New Mexico: Idiotic Voting Rules

In New Mexico, it’s against the law for “idiots” as well as “insane persons convicted of a felonious or infamous crime” to vote. We could say a lot about this one, but let’s keep the name-calling to ourselves, yes?
32. New York: Jump Scares Are Out

In New York, scaring a pigeon is against the law. Keep your Halloween pranks amongst the humans, ‘K?
33. North Carolina: No Meetings in Costumes

In North Carolina, it’s illegal to hold meetings where participants wear costumes. Which begs a few questions. Maybe it’s a preventive measure against secret masquerades?
34. North Dakota: Keep Pretzels and Beer Apart

North Dakota once prohibited serving beer and pretzels together. This outdated law is no longer enforced, thankfully.
35. Ohio: Drunk Fish Are a No-Go

Ohio makes it illegal to get fish drunk. We can find no trace of where or why this came into being. But if anyone knows, please do tell.
36. Oklahoma: No Tripping Horses

In Oklahoma, it’s illegal to “promote, engage in or be employed at a horse tripping event.” Which, if we’re being honest, just sounds downright rude.
37. Oregon: No Ghost Busting

In Oregon, it’s illegal to go hunting in a cemetery. And although we really hoped this law was enacted as a result of a run-in with Venkman & Co., it seems to have been a response to a regular hunting incident.
38. Pennsylvania: No Psychics for Hire

In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to tell fortunes, read tarot cards or palms, or engage in other psychic activities for monetary gain. Though we’re not sure how accurate the free readings are gonna be.
39. Rhode Island: No Limb Biting

In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to bite off someone’s limb. Seems like that would be rather challenging, but regardless, it’s a law that’s oddly specific but important.
40. South Carolina: Pinball Age Limits

In South Carolina, playing pinball under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited. Sorry kids! Keep to those less-corrupting board games at home.
41. South Dakota: No Sleeping With the Cheeses

In South Dakota, sleeping in a cheese factory is illegal. Sleeping in a Cheesecake Factory, however, is merely frowned upon.
42. Tennessee: Sharing Plate Laws

In Tennessee, it’s illegal to share your license plate with another vehicle. Technically, this is because in the state a license plate follows the person, not the vehicle. Still, a generally fair rule for maintaining order.
43. Texas: Don’t Sell Body Parts

In Texas, selling a human organ is illegal. This includes the kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, bone or eyes. Wish this one didn’t have to be spelled out. Let’s leave the body intact, shall we?
44. Utah: Ban on Whale Hunting

In Utah, hunting whales is banned despite being landlocked. A rule that’s perhaps more symbolic than practical, though it’s been theorized that whales could have been released in the Great Salt Lake.
45. Vermont: No Dentures Without Permission

In Vermont, it’s mandatory for women to seek the permission of their husbands before getting false teeth. Oddly specific, as with the rest of this list. Guess some people just like the toothless look.
46. Virginia: No Candy for Teens

Virginia prohibits trick-or-treating after the age of 14. A travesty, if you ask us. How else are we going to get rid of our candy stash if no teenagers in lazy costumes show up at 9pm?
47. Washington: Bigfoot Protection

In Washington, harming Bigfoot is illegal. A frustration to big game hunters, surely; yet a boon to cryptozoologists everywhere.
48. West Virginia: No Hats at the Movies

This one’s just good sense. In West Virginia, wearing hats in a movie theater is illegal. A rule to ensure respect for all moviegoers and film buffs.
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49. Wisconsin: Real Butter Only

In Wisconsin, serving margarine instead of real butter in public institutions is prohibited. The Dairy State keeps it authentic, naturally.
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50. Wyoming: Mandatory Art Investments

In Wyoming, any buildings that cost $100,000+ are required to allocate 1% of that budget to investing in art for that building. Wyoming out here doing the important work.
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