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People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It
Did you ever stop and think that laws are made for people to follow, but most of us haven't actually read them? What is more, there is a whole profession dedicated to explaining laws and in order to become a lawyer, a judge, or a specialist in that field, you have to study it for several years. So it's no wonder that there are laws in our home country law systems that would surprise us.
Maybe Reddit user Krallorddark had a similar thought, because they asked, "What is illegal but most people don't even know it?" In less than 24 hours, the thread got over 50k upvotes and over 20k comments. People shared some really weird laws and some laws that actually make sense, but somehow people don't know about them.
What would you answer to Krallorddark's question? Leave it in the comments and don't forget to upvote the laws shared by people that surprised you the most!
More info: Reddit
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#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.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
YOU CANT TAKE YOUR CAMEL OUT ON STATE HIGHWAYS?! I bet that gives a lot of people the hump!
#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
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.
Emma Byrne 3 years ago
If you consider involuntary section "not jail time" you are wrong. In the UK, at least, you are held in a police cell for up to 72 hours depending on the availability of a psychiatrist.
#5
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.
#6
In Alaska it's illegal to whisper in someone's ear while they deer hunt.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
This law is an ass! How does anyone know if someone is whispering in some ones ear? And if so, what is wrong with that?
#7
Washing oil paint down the sink. It can contaminate drinking water.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
As a painting and decorating tutor this is true. It has to be properly exposed of by taking it to the recycling center or passing it on as donations. This is also the same with white spirits/terps. If you are disposing spirits/terps always put it in a tightly sealed container and write the contents on the out side of it.
#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
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
sturmwesen 3 years ago
I have been told to declare it is an animal repellent and not for muggers/rapists and you are fine. (Germany)
#10
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.....
#11
Also, no joke, it is illegal to kill to Bigfoot, if spotted, in America
Henry Kuchner 3 years ago
Wow. I’m gonna find Bigfoot. Not kill it, but not give it to the authorities. Is that illegal?
#13
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.
#14
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.
Karen Langley 3 years ago
And if you close up and don't let people merge, you may be legally right but you're an asshole.
#15
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.
#16
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.
#17
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
#18
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.
#19
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)
#21
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"
Emma Byrne 3 years ago
My Dad was a poacher (we grew up really poor) rabbit and pheasant were treats when I was growing up. He never went after salmon, trout yes, salmon no.
#22
Carrying a permanent marker or other permanent-staining stationary is illegal in many countries under graffiti laws.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
WOW! Understandable though but would spray paints apply to the same law?
#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
Profiting from the photographs of Eiffel Tower taken at night.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
NO WAY! Is it some kind of copy writing or something? How are they going to know if it is taken at night, printed on canvas and sold in other countries?
#26
In my home state of Tennessee, it's illegal to use a lasso to catch fish.
#28
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.
#29
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.
#30
having stuff hanging from your rear view mirror.
Jessica Nametz 3 years ago
This one I actually knew. It's a distraction and obstructs the field of view...
#31
There is a long list of over the counter medication you can legally purchase, but cannot take it into another country.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
In supermarkets you are limited to 3 boxes of painkillers per person per transaction in the UK. There is nothing stopping you buying 20 boxes but in separate transactions.
#33
Changing your own light bulbs; in Australia, the law says you must hire a licensed electrician to do it.
#34
You have to know how to play an accordion in North Korea to be able to teach.
#35
Chico, CA, it's a $500 fine to make or have a nuclear weapon within city limits
"No person shall produce, test, maintain, or store within the city a nuclear weapon, component of a nuclear weapon, nuclear weapon delivery system, or component of a nuclear weapon delivery system under penalty of Chapter 9.60.030 of the Chico Municipal Code."
#37
In Texas, there is still a law on the books that it is a crime to carry bolt cutters around. It is a leftover from the days of cattle rustlers, when the bad guys would use bolt cutters to take down barbed wire fencing. Pretty sure it hasn't been prosecuted in a hundred years.
#38
You can go to Lowes and buy weed-killer off the shelf and use it on your property. You can use it on your parent's property. If you use it on your neighbor's property and he gives you $20, that's a felony.
Edit: Treating according to label instructions for friends and family without compensation does not qualify as a business activity most places. If you do this and receive compensation, then you're conducting business and under the law you should have a commercial applicator's licence. This is mostly an example of a badly- written law that is too open- ended. I don't know anyone who has got in any real legal trouble over an unlicensed jug of roundup, but they could.
#39
Having a lobster of a certain size in your possession.
#40
California Law stating that it is illegal to wash your neighbor’s car without their permission.
Also, in San Francisco and Long Beach here you cannot store anything other than an automobile in your garage.
Edit: This is no longer a law/ordinance in Long Beach anymore.
The SF one is for commercial structures only, but at one point it definitely was illegal to use your garage as anything other than a parking spot for your car. People could do stuff like rent out their garage, tax free.
What do you think ?
Aunt Messy 3 years ago
In Canada, there is a federal law on the books that requires all post offices to have a hitching post out front. Yes. I have seen many post offices (mostly rural) who DO comply with the law.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
In some very rural areas, that hitching post just might get a fair bit of use.
Load More Replies...
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
There are countless old and outdated laws that aren’t enforced, but just haven’t been taken off the books yet. Some of them make no sense today, yet others that didn’t make sense for decades suddenly do again in the right circumstances. We used to laugh at laws against spitting in public places. But those laws were put in place to protect people from communicable diseases that could be passed through that spittle. Though originally pertaining to diseases like tuberculosis, certain people’s more recent reactions to COVID restrictions have made those old anti-spitting laws make sense again. Unfortunately.
Seán Baron 3 years ago
In the UK, it is legal for a pregnant woman to use a Police Constable's helmet to have a wee in.
Ryan Deschanel 3 years ago (edited)
In Austria, using your actual, legal, legitimate title of nobility or your real surname with its noble particle (de, von, zu, di...) is a crime. They even ticketed their own emperor for using his real surname : von Habsburg-Lothringen.
TheartfulDutchGinger 3 years ago (edited)
Under Dutch law.. If a burglar comes into your house, don't lock him up in your toilet. because then you rob him of his freedom. Natural areas may not be visited at sunrise and sunset . your in-laws will always remain your in-laws. even if you are separated from your partner. We need to pay taxes to have a dog. The more dogs, the more taxes. In the city of Rotterdam, its illegal when your dog barks. You can get fined 130 euros. In another city its illegal to look through/into someone else's window. So when you pass a house there, just look straight ahead of you.
Sky Render 3 years ago
And yet another "weird law" article comes without mentioning Oregon's drip-dry dish law. It's as dumb as it sounds: there's a law on the books that says that you cannot wipe down dishes after washing, they have to be allowed to drip-dry. Nobody follows it.
Kimberly Miller 3 years ago
In Virginia, it is a felony to sell deer antlers, even if they are just sheds off the ground. My former husband was arrested for this, and even the judge had never heard of such a law.
Crochet lady 3 years ago
We lived in a small town in Ohio where my son found out it was illegal to walk your cow down the middle of the road. And no, he didn't find out by breaking the law, he found out when doing a middle school class assignment. He found it quite amusing at the time.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
WOW! So if they divorce does he still get to keep it?
Load More Replies...
Dre Mosley 3 years ago
It's illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey and some parts of Oregon.
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
In California you cannot buy anything larger than a 1 quart container of oil-based paints. You can buy 1,000 gallons in 4,000 cans but that's the only way.
Daniel Marsh 3 years ago (edited)
Real, enforceable laws: (1) In New Jersey and I think Oregon (at least until recently) it's illegal to put gas in your own car. You have to have a station employee do it for you. (2) A lot of people though Rep. Ocasio-Cortez was an idiot for being unfamiliar with a trash disposal unity, but they're illegal in New York where she's from. (3) I found out the hard way that whereas in New York, you must swap license plates when you swap cars, in Virginia it's a misdemeanor to do so. I got out of jail time by demonstrating that the law required mens rea, the will to violate the law. The purpose of the law is to prevent OTHER crimes, so the fact that I could PROVE that it wasn't in furtherance of a crime made the law unenforceable. (4) Sorry for repeating myself, but you'd better be able to PROVE you're carrying a flashlight or a wrench for a legitimate reason in many states where it is illegal to carry "the tools of a trade" that is criminal.
Mommyofboth 3 years ago
WV has a law that it's legal to beat your wife so long as it is done in public on Sunday, on the courthouse steps.
Wonderful 3 years ago
“Hey honey let’s go to WV on Sunday”. Wait. I’m the female… I didn’t think this through… 🙀
Load More Replies...
Emma London 3 years ago
In Finland it's illegal to mail order certain vitamins, you can even get a a fine for smuggling illegal substances for ordering the 5,000 IU Vitamin D capsules. Also bringing over 80% vodka in the country is illegal, but that's understandable as alcohol in that strength is basically poison.
Jim Ellington 3 years ago
Cannabis, a weed that grows in all 50 states, is illegal on a fedral level in the United States.
Jim Ellington 3 years ago
And Ms. Dominauskaitė is not a bad-looking woman,
Load More Replies...
Carol Emory 3 years ago
In Montana, it's illegal to leave a sheep in the cab of a running vehicle. In Cle Elum, WA (where they filmed Northern Exposure) it's illegal to ride an ugly horse in town. As I said before, it's illegal in Alaska to feed alcoholic drinks to a moose or to push a moose out of an airplane. Oh..and you can't wrestle bears in Missouri.
Aunt Messy 3 years ago
In Canada, there is a federal law on the books that requires all post offices to have a hitching post out front. Yes. I have seen many post offices (mostly rural) who DO comply with the law.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
In some very rural areas, that hitching post just might get a fair bit of use.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
There are countless old and outdated laws that aren’t enforced, but just haven’t been taken off the books yet. Some of them make no sense today, yet others that didn’t make sense for decades suddenly do again in the right circumstances. We used to laugh at laws against spitting in public places. But those laws were put in place to protect people from communicable diseases that could be passed through that spittle. Though originally pertaining to diseases like tuberculosis, certain people’s more recent reactions to COVID restrictions have made those old anti-spitting laws make sense again. Unfortunately.
Seán Baron 3 years ago
In the UK, it is legal for a pregnant woman to use a Police Constable's helmet to have a wee in.
Ryan Deschanel 3 years ago (edited)
In Austria, using your actual, legal, legitimate title of nobility or your real surname with its noble particle (de, von, zu, di...) is a crime. They even ticketed their own emperor for using his real surname : von Habsburg-Lothringen.
TheartfulDutchGinger 3 years ago (edited)
Under Dutch law.. If a burglar comes into your house, don't lock him up in your toilet. because then you rob him of his freedom. Natural areas may not be visited at sunrise and sunset . your in-laws will always remain your in-laws. even if you are separated from your partner. We need to pay taxes to have a dog. The more dogs, the more taxes. In the city of Rotterdam, its illegal when your dog barks. You can get fined 130 euros. In another city its illegal to look through/into someone else's window. So when you pass a house there, just look straight ahead of you.
Sky Render 3 years ago
And yet another "weird law" article comes without mentioning Oregon's drip-dry dish law. It's as dumb as it sounds: there's a law on the books that says that you cannot wipe down dishes after washing, they have to be allowed to drip-dry. Nobody follows it.
Kimberly Miller 3 years ago
In Virginia, it is a felony to sell deer antlers, even if they are just sheds off the ground. My former husband was arrested for this, and even the judge had never heard of such a law.
Crochet lady 3 years ago
We lived in a small town in Ohio where my son found out it was illegal to walk your cow down the middle of the road. And no, he didn't find out by breaking the law, he found out when doing a middle school class assignment. He found it quite amusing at the time.
Billy The Kid 3 years ago
WOW! So if they divorce does he still get to keep it?
Load More Replies... Dre Mosley 3 years ago
It's illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey and some parts of Oregon.
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
In California you cannot buy anything larger than a 1 quart container of oil-based paints. You can buy 1,000 gallons in 4,000 cans but that's the only way.
Daniel Marsh 3 years ago (edited)
Real, enforceable laws: (1) In New Jersey and I think Oregon (at least until recently) it's illegal to put gas in your own car. You have to have a station employee do it for you. (2) A lot of people though Rep. Ocasio-Cortez was an idiot for being unfamiliar with a trash disposal unity, but they're illegal in New York where she's from. (3) I found out the hard way that whereas in New York, you must swap license plates when you swap cars, in Virginia it's a misdemeanor to do so. I got out of jail time by demonstrating that the law required mens rea, the will to violate the law. The purpose of the law is to prevent OTHER crimes, so the fact that I could PROVE that it wasn't in furtherance of a crime made the law unenforceable. (4) Sorry for repeating myself, but you'd better be able to PROVE you're carrying a flashlight or a wrench for a legitimate reason in many states where it is illegal to carry "the tools of a trade" that is criminal.
Mommyofboth 3 years ago
WV has a law that it's legal to beat your wife so long as it is done in public on Sunday, on the courthouse steps.
Wonderful 3 years ago
“Hey honey let’s go to WV on Sunday”. Wait. I’m the female… I didn’t think this through… 🙀
Load More Replies... Emma London 3 years ago
In Finland it's illegal to mail order certain vitamins, you can even get a a fine for smuggling illegal substances for ordering the 5,000 IU Vitamin D capsules. Also bringing over 80% vodka in the country is illegal, but that's understandable as alcohol in that strength is basically poison.
Jim Ellington 3 years ago
Cannabis, a weed that grows in all 50 states, is illegal on a fedral level in the United States.
Jim Ellington 3 years ago
And Ms. Dominauskaitė is not a bad-looking woman,
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 3 years ago
In Montana, it's illegal to leave a sheep in the cab of a running vehicle. In Cle Elum, WA (where they filmed Northern Exposure) it's illegal to ride an ugly horse in town. As I said before, it's illegal in Alaska to feed alcoholic drinks to a moose or to push a moose out of an airplane. Oh..and you can't wrestle bears in Missouri.
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