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We have laws and regulations to ensure our country maintains order and safety, but not every legislation makes a ton of sense. Some laws are so silly, controversial, and just straight bizarre that it’s hard to believe they are (or were) necessary. From harassing Bigfoot in Washington to eating fried chicken with your hands in Georgia, these are the most shockingly bizarre and quirky state laws we could find.
Eating Fried Chicken With a Fork in Georgia
Prepare to be cuffed if you try to eat your fried chicken with utensils in Gainesville, Georgia. The only acceptable way to eat fried chicken is with your hands, and you will suffer the consequences if you do not abide. In 2009, a 91-year-old woman from Louisiana (who was unaware of the law) was arrested and charged for eating her chicken with a fork. No mercy!
Selling Cars on Sundays in Colorado
An outdated set of legislation called the “Blue Laws” was passed in the late ‘50s in Colorado and aimed to promote a day of rest on Sundays for car dealers and their employees. The law is still active today and does not allow dealerships to show and sell cars on Sundays in the state.
Walking Backwards After Sunset in Connecticut
Although this bizarre law is not strictly enforced, it is technically illegal to walk backwards after sunset in Devon, Connecticut. Likely, the law was put in place long ago as a safety measure to ensure pedestrian safety at night.
Wearing a Fake Mustache in Church in Alabama
Alabama takes church very seriously, and so must you if you want to avoid being arrested. In the early 1900s, this legislation was meant to deter people from behaving inappropriately in church and causing disruptions during services. Anything that could potentially cause the congregation to laugh would be considered illegal.
Singing While Wearing a Bathing Suit in Florida
Perhaps Florida’s strangest law is that, technically, singing while wearing a bathing suit is prohibited. Cities like Sarasota put certain “decency” rules into legislation that aimed to encourage a level of decorum in public. While you will likely not be arrested for this today, it’s fascinating what lawmakers of the past thought would be important for society.
Flying a Kite in Illinois
One of the quirkier laws in Illinois is that it is technically illegal to fly a kite within Chicago city limits. The ordinance was put in place out of an abundance of caution for safety. However, if you do feel the itch to fly a kite downtown, it is highly unlikely that you will actually be ticketed for it.
Whispering in Someone’s Ear While Hunting in Alaska
Out of a concern for safety, it is actually considered illegal to whisper in someone’s ear while moose hunting. The guideline is actually fairly well-known in the state, and hunters tend to abide by it due to the importance of maintaining focus during dangerous activities.
Playing Bingo While Drinking in North Carolina
It is strictly forbidden to sell or consume alcohol in the same room where Bingo is being played in the state of North Carolina. The onus of the law is on the person who owns the premises where the game is being held.
Palm Reading in Iowa
Before 2003, palm reading in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was actually illegal. And in other cities like Waterloo and Fort Madison, it is illegal to perform palm readings without a licence. However, in 2003, the city council voted to repeal the ordinance that made it illegal to use clairvoyant powers, so this regulation is no longer in effect.
Catching a Fish With Your Bare Hands in Kansas
It is illegal to catch fish with your bare hands in Kansas without a hand-fishing license. This license is required in addition to a regular fishing license. Additionally, the hand-fishing permit has restrictions for certain species as well. A state office may fine those who do not abide by the restrictions.
Scaring a Baby in Missouri
Intentionally trying to frighten a baby can be considered a crime in the state of Missouri. This falls under child abuse laws and restrictions that enforce child welfare. Trying to scare a baby can be considered placing them in mental danger. As such, it is illegal.
Owning Rats as Pets in Montana
While we all love our four-legged friends, the selling, raising, and harboring of rats in the state of Montana is actually prohibited. But, there’s a catch. This law only applies to the raising of rats specifically for the purpose of feeding them to other animals, like reptiles or birds of prey. Justice for rats!
Selling Donut Holes in Nebraska
While this regulation was actually repealed in 1997, the city of Leigh, Nebraska, used to have a ban on selling donut holes. The town founders saw them as a waste due to the missing center of the donut. Now, Leigh is known as the “un-holey” town.
Playing Bingo for More Than 5 Hours in North Carolina
In another bizarre Bingo rule, North Carolina restricts the playing of bingo for more than 5 hours at a time. Additionally, licensed organizations that are hosting the games can only host 2 per week, and there must be 48 hours in between sessions.
Duelling in Ohio
While duelling may not be as common now, back in the day, it was commonplace to duel over disputes in the state of Ohio. Thus, the state enacted a law that restricts duelling. Today, the law has grown into a more general law against committing violent crimes.
Catching a Fish With a Lasso in Tennessee
Similar to the hand-fishing restrictions in Kansas, it is also illegal to catch a fish with a lasso in Tennessee. In fact, catching a fish through any method other than rod, reel, and hook is forbidden.
Harassing Bigfoot in Washington
Skamania County in Washington state enacted an ordinance in 1969 to protect Bigfoot. They declared it an endangered species, and you can face fines up to $1,000 adn up to a year in jail for harassing the creature. Some other counties also have protections in place for Bigfoot.
Pickles Must Bounce in Connecticut
While not an actual state law, there is a widely-known anecdote about a couple of pickle packers who were arrested in 1948 for selling pickles that were not safe for consumption. The Food and Drug Commissioner at the time announced that pickles must bounce when dropped to be considered safe to eat. It inspired the phrase, “if it doesn’t bounce, don’t eat an ounce,” as a reminder of pickle quality.
Delivering Surprise Pizzas in Louisiana
In an effort to prevent harassment and nuisance, there is a Louisiana Statute that states that it is illegal to order goods or services without the recipients’ knowledge. This includes surprise pizza deliveries and can result in a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months!
Hunting in Cemeteries in Oregon
Hunting in cemeteries is strictly prohibited in the state of Oregon. This legislation was put in place to protect and respect sacred grounds.
Digging Up a Cactus in Arizona
Saguaro cactuses take hundreds of years to grow to maturity, so the state of Arizona has rules in place to protect them. It is actually against the law to dig up or relocate a saguaro. Not only are they beautiful wildlife, but they are also significant to the ecosystem of the Arizona deserts.
Whistling Underwater in Vermont
It is difficult to track down an explanation of the “whistling underwater” law in Vermont, and it is certainly one that is near impossible to enforce. Some people believe it started as a noise pollution protection for underwater wildlife.
Serving Margarine in Wisconsin
While it is no longer illegal to sell margarine in Wisconsin, after a 1967 law was overturned, there is a ban on serving it to customers who have not explicitly asked for it. This law requires restaurants to serve butter first and can serve margarine if it is specifically asked for by the customer.
Serving Wine in Teacups in Kansas
Strangely, serving wine in teacups is a well-known, long-standing law in the state of Kansas. It is unclear why or how this law came to fruition, but it was likely born out of a desire to restrict the discreet consumption of alcohol. It may have started in the prohibition era, but it remains a silly law today!