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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

#1

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

rowrin , Ronoli Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU CANT TAKE YOUR CAMEL OUT ON STATE HIGHWAYS?! I bet that gives a lot of people the hump!

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#2

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Tickling someone without their consent is a form of assault. But yeah

tundrabuddies , Erik Przekop Report

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Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You shouldnt be doing it to strangers, Id hit someone for doing that to me

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#3

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Yesterday I learned that riding a bike while drunk is just as illegal as drunk driving, just not regularly enforced

berna102 , Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious Report

#4

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

justalittleprickly , 28704869 Report

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Emma Byrne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#5

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

badass_panda , USFWS Midwest Region Report

#6

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In Alaska it's illegal to whisper in someone's ear while they deer hunt.

FestusPowerLoL , U.S. Geological Survey Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?

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#7

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Washing oil paint down the sink. It can contaminate drinking water.

graypumpkins , Lia Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#8

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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

spudllet , Nate Vack Report

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#9

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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

Basic_Leek_9086 , Tony Webster Report

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sturmwesen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been told to declare it is an animal repellent and not for muggers/rapists and you are fine. (Germany)

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#10

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.....

twoshoesframpton , Aasim Ahmed Report

#11

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Also, no joke, it is illegal to kill to Bigfoot, if spotted, in America

wuau_zhang , Bob Doran Report

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Henry Kuchner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. I’m gonna find Bigfoot. Not kill it, but not give it to the authorities. Is that illegal?

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#13

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

TehAsianator , Gloria Manna Report

#14

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

goju8019 , dennis crowley Report

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Karen Langley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if you close up and don't let people merge, you may be legally right but you're an asshole.

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#15

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

dodexahedron , zolakoma Report

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Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you cant drive normal than you have to stay home or take the bus

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#16

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

eve_naive , NH53 Report

#17

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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

JrBeelzebub , Storyful Rights Management Report

#18

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

llcucf80 , George Redgrave Report

#19

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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)

spider-borg , abc7 News Report

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#20

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It It’s illegal to die in the House of Parliament

_____wanker_____ , Michael D Beckwith Report

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Hannah Bloomfield
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was lucky to do a tour of the Houses of Parliament and was told that if someone dies on the premises, they will be removed by paramedics/ambulance crew and be pronounced deceased once they have been taken off the premises, so that they technically haven't died in the houses of Parliament. Quite useful when the average age of the House of Lords is quite high!!

chrissy goodman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what happens if they air live on tv and someone dies of a sudden heart attack then they cant say they didnt die there cuz everyone watching saw it

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nunya bussiness
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Billy The Kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking at the politicians in there sleeping they always look dead!

Bella, Your Kitty-Loving Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay. If I ever go there, and something death causing happens to me, I’ll just be sure to die later.

Just A Passing Parrot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*has heart attack* ah fuuuuuuuuu *parliament* stop dying *me suddenly okay* what the hell

Jill Bussey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Presumably the penalty is jail time? Going to be pretty smelly by the end of the sentence!

Skybolt727
Community Member
3 years ago

Save your dying for another time

Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is the wording that broad, or does it only apply to cases of premeditation? Death can be totally unexpected, even if standing in the halls of Parliament, so a heart attack, an accident, or a fatal attack wouldn’t be held against the victims, I hope. I can, however, see it being illegal if someone goes there with a gun or strapped with explosives, with the premeditated intent to kill themselves , and anyone close enough around them, in full view of everyone—-including the convoluted committing “suicide by cop” (obviously exhibiting the kinds of behaviors, like opening fire on people, to provoke the police into shooting them as the only way to stop them).

Sono Arima
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so... if you do die in there are you sent to prison, fined or both?

Kabuki Kitsune
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically, this exists because there's a rule about Parliament, that if someone dies inside the building, that person (regardless of status) must be given a state funeral.

OhBlahDi OhBlahDa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a very controversial Apartheid politician (were there any non-controversial Apartheid politicians?) who was stabbed to death on the floor of the South African parliament in the 70s. The bloodstains were still visible on the carpet until they changed it in the late 2000s. Very lady-Macbeth. I suppose in England even that dramatic demise would not have qualified as a "death in Parliament".

Scagsy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does not stop the inhabitants from being dead stupid though, unfortunately.

elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In our U. S. Congress sit seems to be a plus these days to be one of the living dead.

Mickie Shea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a certain decorum expected of parliamentarians. Ought be adhered to.

All's Gravy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The statement is incorrect. Hannah Bloomfield 's comment is correct.

Mark Fuller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Half of them kinda look like they may have already. Just saying...

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#21

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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"

Kusteron3 , Peber the Swede Report

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Emma Byrne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#22

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Carrying a permanent marker or other permanent-staining stationary is illegal in many countries under graffiti laws.

DoAFlip22 , Ben Chun Report

#23

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Apparently hunting whales with a harpoon from your airplane in arkansas (this is legit)

AKSchmitler , Navin75 Report

#24

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

WildWolfman378 , Hans Splinter Report

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#25

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Profiting from the photographs of Eiffel Tower taken at night.

your-playboy , Pedro Szekely Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?

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#26

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In my home state of Tennessee, it's illegal to use a lasso to catch fish.

TwiceInEveryMoment , M&R Glasgow Report

#27

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Happy hours are illegal in Massachusetts

personofinterest18 , Steven Miller Report

#28

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

reditm8 , Alper Çuğun Report

#29

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

TheBassMeister , Derek Key Report

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Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans cant handle NOT eating the yellow capsule inside the chocolate.

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#30

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It having stuff hanging from your rear view mirror.

shuttermayfire , Tony Alter Report

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Jessica Nametz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one I actually knew. It's a distraction and obstructs the field of view...

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#31

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It There is a long list of over the counter medication you can legally purchase, but cannot take it into another country.

cisco54 , Free photo on UkrMedia Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#32

In my state (CT) it's illegal to sell pickles that don't bounce.

MattyRixz Report

#33

Changing your own light bulbs; in Australia, the law says you must hire a licensed electrician to do it.

AussieSkittles81 Report

#34

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It You have to know how to play an accordion in North Korea to be able to teach.

Deadshot37 , Michael Neel Report

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#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."

breals Report

#36

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Lemonade stands

personofinterest18 , amy gizienski Report

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Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You cant sell food to other people with out safe food handling, need a permit. Typhoid Mary caused a lot of death and damage from being immune to what she had and was a carrier not washing her hands.

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#37

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

ComicLawyer , Lenore Edman Report

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Requiem
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you see someone riding around with bolt cutters its automatically for theft. You dont need those unless your in a Trade on a job site

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#38

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

I3uckethead , Mike Mozart Report

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#39

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Having a lobster of a certain size in your possession.

carlesswhifperer , Rex Sorgatz Report

#40

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It 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.

OzonePass , SYA Extreme Report

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RandomBeing
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes sense that u shouldn't mess with peoples stuff without their permission.

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#41

Unpasteurised cheese in the USA Also lawn darts in USA

eletricmozzieracket Report

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Terry Tobias
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing that my siblings and I are still alive after all those years playing Jarts. So many things that are extremely dangerous were legal when I was a kid.

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#42

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Apparently changing lanes in the middle of an intersection is one that's unknown in my area.

Rikiar , Jeffrey Beall Report

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#43

If you live in london. Your not alowed To shake the dust off your rug outside your house after 8 in the morning

cfcaggro2 Report

#44

Contrary to popular belief its not legal to distill alcohol for personal use. Without a license its illegal period, including freeze distillation. Which is extremely dumb but so is the ATF.

The only legal production of home use alcohol is beer and wine and it varies by state.

Deveak Report

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Hal Schirmer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

-Chemistry degree kicks in- The problem is that freezing concentrates BOTH the ethanol (good) along with the (bad) = methanol (go blind) and the propanol ('rubbing alcohol). A (proper) heat based distillation will give you ethanol (drinkable alcohol).

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