I know it might feel like we’ve hit peak crazy with the whirlwind of craziness happening every day. But the truth is, we’ve always had our share of crazy, especially when you look at weird state laws. It’s just that with our constant access to endless (although skewed depending on the echo chamber that your personal algorithm has found its way into) information, it feels like there’s more craziness than ever. After diving deep into the topic of this article, it’s clear that our society has always had its moments of craziness.
For this article, I decided to focus solely on the outlandish and weird state laws in America. So many ridiculous ones made me laugh, shake my head, and even feel secondhand embarrassed at the crazy that I didn’t even get around to researching laws from other countries. Sometimes, focusing on our backyard is better (wink wink, hi US Government). So, without further ado, here’s a list of some of the most outlandish laws and weird state laws that defy reason throughout American history:
The “No Ice Cream on Sundays” Law in Indiana
In the small town of Fort Wayne, Indiana, an old law prohibits eating ice cream on Sundays. While this law might have made sense in a bygone era of strict Sunday observance, it now stands as a reminder of how seriously some places took the Sabbath. Imagine the horror of discovering that your Sunday Sundae is against the law! I know my daughter would be outraged!
The “No Riding a Horse While Under the Influence” Law in Wyoming
My home state has some amusing laws and weird state laws, like the ban on sneezing in public in the small town of Riverton—though I’m not sure how strictly that’s enforced today. One particular law I wanted to highlight is the law against riding a horse while drunk. While it may not be a significant problem in modern times, the law does make some sense from a safety perspective. Still, it would be quite a sight to see a police car with flashing lights pulling over a drunken cowboy on horseback!
The “No Fortune-Telling” Law in North Carolina
In North Carolina, fortune-telling is illegal—unless you have a license. This law is meant to prevent fraud and protect the gullible, but it’s also a reminder of how seriously some states predict the future. Do you wonder what to do or prove to obtain an actual license?
The “No Donkeys Sleeping in Bathtubs” Law in Arizona
In Arizona, it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. This law originates from a case where a donkey got stuck in a bathtub, causing quite a commotion. Although it might sound like something from a cartoon, this law is a humorous example of how specific incidents can lead to odd legislation and weird state laws.
The “No Whistling After Dark” Law in Arkansas
In the town of Quitman, Arkansas, an old law states that it is illegal to whistle after dark. The reasoning behind this ordinance is a mystery; as we have said, it likely was one loud night whistler that ruined it for all. That is usually how most of our weird state laws start. So, thanks to that person, if you’re caught whistling a tune under the moonlight, you might find yourself in legal trouble!
The “No Roller Skating in the Streets” Law in San Francisco
San Francisco once had a law that banned roller skating on the streets. This law was implemented to prevent accidents and injuries, but it’s amusing that such a city had to crack down on roller skating. These days, things are far worse in San Francisco.
The “No Hunting Unicorns” Law in Michigan
Michigan has a law explicitly banning the hunting of unicorns. While this might sound like something out of a fantasy novel, it’s a playful nod to the fact that unicorns aren’t real. It’s an example of how some weird state laws are more about making a statement than addressing real issues.
The “No Public Swearing” Law in Virginia
In Virginia, an old law makes it illegal to use profanity in public. While the intention was likely to maintain public decorum, it’s hard not to chuckle at the idea of police officers patrolling the streets with dictionaries, ready to crack down on any “bad” language. So, think twice before letting an expletive slip in the Old Dominion!
The “No Reptiles in Bars” Law in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, it’s illegal to bring reptiles into bars. This law likely originated from a combination of hygiene problems and a desire to maintain a certain ambiance in public drinking establishments. The image of someone trying to sip a cocktail while a snake slithers around is amusing and strange.
The “No Insecticides in a Container of Alcohol” Law in Montana
Montana has a law that bans putting insecticides in alcoholic beverages. This might sound like a no-brainer, but ensuring that people didn’t mix pest control with their cocktails was necessary. The fact that this had to be explicitly stated underscores how some weird state laws arise to protect us from ourselves.
Bonus Weird State Laws for the SkillsetFam
The “No Carrying Ice Cream Cones in Your Pocket” Law in Alabama
In Alabama, carrying an ice cream cone in your pocket is illegal. This strange law dates back to when people were believed to be using this tactic to steal ice cream from vendors. The thought of someone sneaking around with an ice cream cone in their pocket shows that we have not been a severe society for quite some time.
The “No Using Your Hands to Eat Fried Chicken” Law in New York City
New York City once had a law that forbade using your hands to eat fried chicken in public places. This was meant to encourage people to use utensils and maintain cleanliness, but it’s hilariously out of touch with the realities of enjoying a greasy, finger-licking good meal. Just imagine the struggle of trying to eat fried chicken with a fork and knife! Was this how chicken tenders were born? However, I still use my hands to eat chicken tenders. Arrest me!
These are just a few more amusing and weird state laws I’ve encountered. There are hundreds—yes, hundreds—of equally outlandish laws still on the books across the country. As election season approaches, research your candidates’ positions on the issues. You never know when something like whistling at night or donkeys in bathtubs might come up.
