Reddit user Krallorddark decided to ask people about the weird laws in their countries. And, there were so many responses to the question that made us wonder, how many of you have actually read the laws of your country?
Outline
We decided to pick up the oddest replies that we found. So, scroll down to check them out.
1
In Nevada there’s an old law still on the books where a property owner may hang an individual who shoots a dog on their property. Also you can’t take your camel out on state highways.
2
Tickling someone without their consent is a form of assault. But yeah
3
Yesterday I learned that riding a bike while drunk is just as illegal as drunk driving, just not regularly enforced
4
Under a 1940s anti-poaching law, not only is possessing or selling a bald eagle illegal … possessing any part of a bald eagle, including their feathers, is illegal. Find a bald eagle feather while hiking? Technically, picking that thing up and sticking it in your pocket means a $250,000 fine. Edit: As has been pointed out to me repeatedly, if you belong to a native American tribe that is enrolled in a federal program that exempts you from the above.
5
In Alaska it’s illegal to whisper in someone’s ear while they deer hunt.
6
Washing oil paint down the sink. It can contaminate drinking water.
7
One of my friends studied abroad in the UK (from the US) and didn’t realize pepper spray is illegal there until a British student told her. Most female students at our university in the US carry it everywhere so it didn’t even occur to her it would be illegal. No clue how she got through the airport with it in the first place but luckily she was able to dispose of it without getting in trouble
8
Scottish here, it’s a legal requirement to let a stranger use your toilet if he or she asks. So if some random drunk comes to your door at stupid o’clock in the morning choking for a s***e, you better be letting them in
9
Walking down the street with an ice cream cone in your back pocket in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Apparently, there was a law that if a horse was on your property, you could claim it as your own. In comes the ice cream cone as a lure for the horse as you lead them to your property…..
10
Also, no joke, it is illegal to kill to Bigfoot, if spotted, in America
11
Insulting the king of Thailand
12
In a few states in the US there are laws on the books barring atheists from holding public office. Granted these fit into the “exist but don’t really get enforced” category, but they exist nonetheless.
13
Just because you have your turn signals on dosen’t mean that the you have the right to merge. If the lane isn’t clear you are the one breaking the law.
14
Driving consistently slower than the speed limit, without legitimate reason to do so (like road conditions or a vehicle problem). In fact, in some states, it is more points on your license than speeding.
15
Stepping into a public fountain. Yes, Joey, Chandler, Ross, Pheobe, Rachel and Monica, I’m talking to you. Guess I’ll be there for you … in jail.
16
In Florida its illegal to tie an alligator to a parking meter unless you pay for parking Edit- Apparently it was passed for elephants because of discrimination against circus workers according to u/Carrotcake1988 and u/DaveTheNotecard
17
In the US giving any federal employee, especially postal workers, any gift in an amount over $20 each and no greater than $50 in a year. I believe the government wanted to try to ban any gifts, but people were so attached to their postal workers and wanted to give them something so they did relent, with those strict guidelines above.
18
License plate covers. I saw one yesterday that was tinted and you literally couldn’t read the plate even in broad daylight. But even clear ones are illegal (in Ohio anyway)
19
It’s illegal to die in the House of Parliament
20
The Salmon Act 1986 is an act of Parliament which outlines the difference between legal and illegal salmon fishery, among other things. The Act also makes it illegal to “handle salmon in suspicious circumstances”
21
Carrying a permanent marker or other permanent-staining stationary is illegal in many countries under graffiti laws.
22
Profiting from the photographs of Eiffel Tower taken at night.
23
Apparently hunting whales with a harpoon from your airplane in arkansas (this is legit)
24
The failure to spend 2 hours a week practicing with a longbow. This law was setup in the middle ages and it required ever male over the age of 14 to practice with a longbow every week. The laws still in place but has been massively overlooked and forgotten.
25
In my home state of Tennessee, it’s illegal to use a lasso to catch fish.
26
Happy hours are illegal in Massachusetts
27
You can give a friend or family member a lift for free, but if they have paid you, even fuel costs, then you are now an unlicensed taxi.
28
Importing Kinder Surprise eggs to the US from your trip abroad. You won’t go to jail, but if you are unlucky and the customs agent is not very lenient you can face a fine for every egg you tried to smuggle in. According to some sources the fine per egg could go up to $2500, but I couldn’t find a case where someone was actually fined that much. The most I could find in my 5 minute research was a Canadian woman who got fined $300 (Canadian) for trying to bring in one egg. I guess in most cases the customs agents will just confiscate the eggs and give you a warning.
29
having stuff hanging from your rear view mirror.
30
In my country suicide is considered a felony. Its to allow first responders more ways to act. Like so a policeofficer can kick down a door or hospitals can force a short period of observation on a sucidal person, never any jailtime involved.
