While modern legal systems evolve to address contemporary issues, many jurisdictions retain bizarre, outdated laws that reflect bygone eras and concerns. These legal oddities remain technically enforceable despite their seemingly ridiculous nature. Here's a fascinating tour of some of the strangest laws still officially on the books across America.
Animal Antics: Laws Governing Our Furry and Feathered Friends
In Mobile, Alabama, it remains illegal to bring a live bear onto public streets. This peculiar statute (§7-50) dates back to when traveling circuses and sideshows were common, but has never been repealed—meaning your pet bear is technically breaking the law during neighborhood walks.
Alaska state law (11 AAC 20.850) formally prohibits pushing a moose from an airplane while in flight—a regulation born from actual incidents involving aerial wildlife harassment in the 1920s.
In Nevada, it's still technically illegal for camels to use public highways. This law dates back to the 1800s when the U.S. Army experimented with using camels for desert transportation before the transcontinental railroad was completed.
Food and Drink Regulations That Defy Logic
Wisconsin had a law (since amended but still referenced in §97.18) requiring restaurants to serve butter with meals—not margarine—unless specifically requested by the customer. This "butter law" was part of the state's fierce protection of its dairy industry.
In Gainesville, Georgia, it's technically illegal to eat fried chicken with anything other than your hands. The law was actually enforced in 2009 as a publicity stunt, when police "arrested" a 91-year-old woman for eating fried chicken with a fork.
Massachusetts law (Chapter 272, Section 36) still prohibits putting tomatoes in clam chowder, reflecting the serious regional debate over proper chowder composition. While rarely enforced, traditionalists point to this law when arguing against "Manhattan-style" red chowder.
Peculiar Public Behavior Laws
In Michigan, a woman's hair legally belongs to her husband under an archaic law that has never been formally repealed. This statute dates back to a time when property rights between spouses were dramatically different than today.
Oklahoma maintains a law (21 OK Stat § 21-1761) making it illegal to read a comic book while operating a motor vehicle. While sensible from a safety perspective, the specificity regarding comic books rather than reading materials in general makes this law stand out.
Portland, Oregon still has an ordinance (City Code 14A.50.030) making it illegal to whistle underwater. Legal scholars believe this bizarre regulation may have been related to early 20th century concerns about disturbing fish or other marine life.
Strange Sunday Laws
Many states retain "blue laws" restricting activities on Sundays. In Maine, it remains technically illegal to buy or sell cars on Sunday (Title 17, §3203). These laws originated from religious considerations but now continue primarily because dealerships appreciate having a mandated day off.
In Massachusetts, it was illegal until recently to dance to the National Anthem, hold a dueling competition, or take a lion to the movies on Sunday specifically. While many of these have been formally repealed, some remain in overlooked corners of state code.
Why These Laws Persist
These legal curiosities remain on the books for several reasons:
- Legislative inertia: Repealing laws requires time and resources that legislators prefer to dedicate to more pressing matters
- Historical artifacts: Some are preserved as quirky historical markers
- Lack of enforcement: Since these laws are rarely if ever enforced, there's little practical motivation to remove them
- Hidden in complexity: Many are buried within massive legal codes where they're easily overlooked
Legal Significance
While these laws may seem merely amusing, they raise important questions about legal systems. Outdated, unenforced laws undermine respect for the legal system and create uncertainty. They can also be selectively enforced in problematic ways.
Many legal scholars advocate for regular "legal housekeeping" to remove obsolete laws, arguing that legal codes should reflect current societal values and needs rather than preserving centuries-old peculiarities.
Next time you're planning to transport an ice cream cone in your back pocket through Kentucky (yes, that's technically illegal too), remember that while you might be breaking the law, you're unlikely to face consequences for these bizarre legal relics.
