Laws are meant to be broken, or so we’re told in some cases. Strangely, some laws are meant to remain, regardless of how absurd they are.
Our society has evolved through many different socioeconomic ages. From the industrial age to the information age, many laws have been made to help make it easier for citizens to exist together. Still, some laws will remain on the books for many years without any change. This seems odd, but maybe not quite as odd as the laws themselves.
Here are some of the most absurd laws still on the books; you may have broken some of them without knowing it.
Don’t mispronounce Arkansas
If you have a difficult or unusual name, you’ve gone through life having it mispronounced. You may have even begun spelling your name instead of saying it, which means you know it won’t be pronounced correctly. Arkansas took this frustration a step further. In Arkansas, mispronouncing the state’s name is breaking the law. We don’t know the penalty for doing so, but it’s likely a fine that’s just as annoying as the mispronunciation.
Indiana has a black cat law
The small town of French Lick Springs, Indiana, takes its black cat superstitions seriously. On Friday the 13th, these cats are required to wear bells around their necks. This is one of the most absurd laws on the books, and it began in 1939 to help ease public stress. The law was never changed, which means you might want to make sure your black cat has a bell around its neck at all times. That way, you don’t have to track it down and possibly break this odd law.
Added issues for lawbreakers in New Jersey
Maybe New Jersey simply wants things to be fair between a criminal and a victim, but it’s illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a violent crime. For violent criminals, an additional charge is added to the mix when they are caught wearing a bulletproof vest. I guess you’re not supposed to be concerned about personal safety when victimizing others in this state. Although this law exists, there aren’t many cases where it has been enforced.
Leave bears alone in Oklahoma
One of the most absurd laws still on the books has to be the law that its illegal to wrestle a bear in Oklahoma. This makes you wonder what someone might have done to cause this to become a law. Imagine first surviving a wrestling match with a bear, which is unlikely, but then to be fined and potentially put in jail for this action. Strangely, someone or some groups of people must have been wrestling bears enough to make this law a requirement.
Leave the silverware alone in Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia, is the self-proclaimed ‘Poultry Capital’ of the world, which gives this town some authority over the law that was created. In this town, it’s illegal to eat fried chicken with a knife and fork. The law was passed in 1961 to get publicity for the town. Strangely, the law still stands, and some people have been arrested for breaking it. Of course, those arrested were released because the law is meant to be a little bit of fun while also being part of the legal books in the town.
Cheese and Butter Laws in Wisconsin
One of the most absurd laws still on the books is one you’ll certainly enjoy. In Wisconsin, the State Legislature contains several laws that require dairy products to be delicious. Wisconsin is well-known for its dairy farming and dairy products, and it takes pride in its reputation for these things. The state laws require dairy to be tasty, and that can be of benefit when you visit this state and sample some of the products made there.
Don’t swear in Maryland
Maryland takes an odd but interesting approach to road rage. When driving through Rockville, MD, you are breaking the law if you swear while driving. Getting caught brings with it misdemeanor charges and a fine, which means you need to keep it clean while you’re driving around. Thankfully, this is only applicable to this town, and if you have your windows up it’s next to impossible for police to hear you swearing at other drivers, but it is a strange law that’s on the books in Rockville.
These are just a few of the most absurd laws still active that you could be charged with in a few states. Every state has some strange laws that often get overlooked and won’t be enforced, but some of them will.