Most weird laws were put on the books years ago and no one has bothered to repeal them. They make us wonder what the legislature was thinking when they enacted them. We've grouped these stupid laws into Categories by state so you can see which one has the nuttiest laws.
We're always on the hunt for more dumb laws to add to our collection so if you have one, leave us the info in the Comments.
And check back with us on a regular basis as our compilation of funny laws grows. We're hoping the local, state and national politicians don't gets wise and decide to delete them because then what would we have to laugh at?
Stupid Laws
Roadkill Laws – Because Times Is Tough
One time my husband told me that our friend Jefferson was going to bring over some venison that he’d marinated. They were going to grill it, and it was going to be delicious. I’d never eaten venison, and I’d been watching a lot of Food Network, so I said, “Why not?” It's what's for dinner As it turns out, the meat was delicious. It wasn’t gamey –... [Read more]
In Sweden, Buying Sex Is Illegal. However, Selling It Is Not.
Selling sex is legal in Sweden. However, Sweden has a generally low rate of prostitution as opposed to other European nations. But before all you prospective new prostitutes pack your bags and book your one-way ticket to Stockholm, I should inform you that it is still illegal to purchase sexual services in Sweden. This strange approach to the prostitution problem has endured continuous ridicule... [Read more]
Pretending to Abuse Animals in the Presence of a Minor – A No-No in Montana
OK. I know I’ve said it before. But I love weird laws. I love stupid laws even more. Check this one out – here’s the full text of the law: “45-5-627. Ritual abuse of minor – exceptions – penalty. 1) A person commits the offense of ritual abuse of a minor if the person purposely or knowingly and as part of any ceremony, rite, or ritual or of any training... [Read more]
Marriage By Proxy
Wedded bliss. Some achieve it, some don’t. We hear a lot about what you should do when you’re planning a wedding – from centerpiece ideas to prenuptial agreements – but we don’t hear much about the weird marriage-related laws that nobody bothered to repeal. In this case, there is a reason nobody repealed it – people still use it! [Read more] Read More →
Rhode Island – Make a Loud Noise
Rhode Island Law 31-15-4 states: “The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall give a timely, audible signal and shall pass to the left at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of the front vehicle... [Read more]
Match.Com Isn’t A Perfect Match – A Love-Struck Lawsuit
While there are many, many stories of romances that begin online ending in happily-ever-after, sometime the method doesn’t quite work. In fact, sometimes the method is so far from working that lawyers are involved. Take, for instance, the example of Matthew Evans. Evans was *this* close to canceling his subscription to the dating website in 2005 when he was contacted by a potential match... [Read more]
Dumb Animals – A Sensitive Tennessee Law
Check this out – Tennessee law 39-3-101 states: “In this part, and in every law relating to or affecting animals, the words animal or dumb animal shall be held to include every living creature; the words torture, torment, or cruelty shall be held to include every act, omission, or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted; but nothing herein... [Read more]
Drunk Moose – Sane or Stupid Law?
Allegedly, a city law exists in Fairbanks, Alaska that states that it is illegal to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose. That law is pretty reasonable. After all, moose are big, and wild, and strong. While they are not normally aggressive, it is possible to provoke them into charging, which would be a really bad thing. Odds are, if you fed one a shot of tequila or a nip of single malt scotch... [Read more]
No Throwing Rotten Tomatoes – A Repealed Kentucky Law
Because of a recent trip to Kentucky (I type this post from the Blue Grass State itself, in fact) I thought I’d see what types of crazy laws they have here. Lucky for me, I stumbled upon KRS 437.050 which states: “Any person who interferes with any person addressing a public audience within this state, who interrupts such a person, while speaking, by the use of insulting or offensive... [Read more]
Oklahoma Is NOT Going to the Dogs
OK. I don’t usually pick laws that I can’t find at least SOME documentation on, but I liked this one so much I thought I’d tell you what it was, do a little bit of speculation, and then open it up to you for interpretation, dissection, and conversation. So don’t be shy this time, folks. It’s your time to shine! This is the gem I found: “Dogs must have a... [Read more]
West Virginia Duels – Don’t Make Fun
In the neat little book I found, it says that there is a law in West Virginia that states: “If any person post another, or in writing or in print use any reproachful or contemptuous language to or concerning another, for not fighting a duel, or for not sending or accepting a challenge, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be confined in jail not more than six months,... [Read more]
No Stabbing Yourself for Pity in Alabama – A VERY Weird Law
OK. The law, as a gazillion different places on the internet states, is that “it is illegal to stab yourself to gain someone’s pity.” As it turns out, this is an inaccurate rewording of the actual law. It makes it funnier. Did you laugh? The real law is Section 13A-14-1 which says, “Maiming one’s self to escape duty or obtain alms” is illegal. Here’s... [Read more]
P’u Yi Owned The Color Yellow – In That Case I Claim Perriwinkle
The Celestial Emperor. The Lord of Ten Thousand Years. The Enthroned One. He Who is Above. The Son of Heaven. Big names for an almost-three year old. P’u Yi, also known as all the names above, also known as Henry, ascended to the throne of China at 2 years and 10 months old. Treated as a deity, had 200 chefs to cook his foods, over 100 doctors to attend to his ailments, and he kept... [Read more]
Quebec – It Likes Buttah
So, I bought this book on funny laws. Mostly because I write for this website, and there is only so much out there on the interwebs for me to use. I had to turn to the printed word. Sheesh. Next thing you know I’ll be going through actual LAW books instead of watching old episodes of Ally McBeal. Naw. That won’t happen. You’re just lucky I don’t rehash old episodes... [Read more]
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