Did you know that in Detroit, MI it is illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday? If you own an alligator in the Motor City, you can’t tie it to a fire hydrant. And in Kalamazoo, it’s against the law to serenade your sweetheart. No way!
In honor of Law Day (May 1), we’re having a bit of fun with some wacky laws passed many years ago that are still on the books. Every state in the U.S. has some … Here are a few that are sure to surprise you.
Blue Laws
Many laws were initially established specifically to prohibit certain behavior on Sundays. For example, in Salem, WV it’s against the law to eat candy less than an hour and a half before a church service.
In Winona Lake, WI it is illegal to eat ice cream at a counter on Sunday.
Some lawmakers seemed to be opposed to having any fun on the Lord’s Day – in a handful of states, yo-yos, playing marbles and dominoes are banned. In Alabama, you can’t hunt, shoot, play cards, or race on Sunday.
Women & The Law
Many antiquated statutes passed in the late 1800s and early 1900s were aimed at protecting the “fairer sex” from garnering unwanted attention or sullied reputations. An old city ordinance in Cleveland, OH prohibits women from wearing patent leather shoes in public. Why? Shiny footwear could afford a nearby gentleman (?) an unintentional peep show.
Heading to the hair salon? According to Michigan law, a woman’s hair belongs to her spouse and you’ll need his permission before altering it. No kidding!
In Vermont, women must have their husband’s written permission if they want to get false teeth. It’s an unenforced law, but hasn’t yet been overturned.
Bingo is a Big Deal!
Who doesn’t love a quick game of Bingo? Minnesota laws won’t let you play the game more than twice a week, and bingo lovers in NC must note that a game cannot last more than five hours. If you enjoy a glass of wine while playing, please note: it is illegal to be intoxicated while playing bingo in North Carolina!
Animals & The Law
When the 1931 criminal code was written, working animals played a larger role in day-to-day life. Animal-related misdemeanors still on the books include unhitching and driving away horses without authority, allowing domestic animals or fowl to run amok at cemeteries or airports, or allowing bulls to run at large on a highway or unenclosed land.
In Detroit, it is illegal to let your pig run free – unless it has a ring in its nose. (Of course.)
Folks in Normal, OK must refrain from teasing a dog by making ugly faces at it. You guessed it – that kind of inflammatory behavior is illegal!
In NC, elephants can’t be used to plow cotton fields. Other fields seem to be okay, just no cotton.
In WA, killing Bigfoot was once a felony punishable by five years in prison. The law was amended to say the creature is an endangered species; thus, killing and trapping Bigfoot is still illegal under Washington wildlife laws. Safe for now, Sasquatch!
The “weird law rabbit hole” is deep! Even though many of them are very old and not really enforced, they still exist. That sound you hear is hundreds of crazy laws being broken all over the country!
Sources: bridgemi.com, legalzoom.com, thelawdictionary.org, thelawyerportal.com
