Dumblaws.com is beautiful for a laugh and for ‘comedic inspiration’ because you can’t help but wonder not only why on earth these laws came to be, but what kind of wacky event transpired that caused the law to even be considered. Here I wish to share twenty-five random laws, and a few that I remember from previous visits. Thanks to Mom for the post idea. Note that many of these are state laws and the “Random Laws” link, unfortunately, won’t tell you where they’re from - but it’s all good.

“You can’t shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.”
…You can shoot whales from a moving automobile? Are you sure about that one?

“It is illegal to do U Turns.”
This one perhaps was one of the most understandable, because U-Turns can be dangerous and difficult. Despite that, I notice that the law is still quite flawed because it does not specify what kind of U-Turn you aren’t allowed to do - so in effect, you cannot do any. If you’ve ever  turned around, you’ve broken this law.

“Any kind of nude artistic display is illegal.”
Another kind of understandable one. And yet not. Because who does this hurt? But certainly the most amusing is what might have brought this to light. Was there an art exhibition and someone got a little overwhelmed or something? I shudder at the very thought… Moving on.

“No one may annoy someone of the opposite sex.”
Neu-whaaaaaaaaaa?

“Persons may not sleep on a road.”
Why bother arresting people who sleep on a road? They’re gonna get punished anyway. Probably in a more fitting manner.
‘Where’d you get those tire tracks?’
‘Oh, that’s my idiot tattoo.’

“It is illegal to shoot silly string at parade participants.”
Okay, is it legal for parade participants to shoot silly string at you?

“Bicycle riders may not lift either foot from the peddles, as it might result in a loss of control.”
Don’t ride a bicycle in this state, because once you’re on, it’s illegal to get off.

“You cannot leave your car on the street overnight without the proper permit.”
Aren’t permits used to ‘permit’ people to do things that might be dangerous or otherwise illegal/unsafe? What’s so illegal, dangerous and unsafe about leaving your car on the street overnight? Permit or no permit, the worst that can happen is it gets stolen…

“One may not drink in a bar between 2:00 and 6:00 AM.”
Wait, I actually like this one.

“It is illegal to mistreat rats in Denver, Colorado.”
But not anywhere else in Colorado.

“Cats are forbidden from entering cemeteries.”
What’re you gonna do about it if they do? And what kind of catastrophe (pardon my pun) could have possibly led to this? Now dogs, that I could understand, but cats…?

“No person may pick a flower from a city park.”
As if you can track that down with a DNA trace.

“An arcade may not have more than a total of four amusement devices such as ping-pong tables, pinball machines, or shuffleboard tables.”
What the heck, just ban arcades while you’re at it.

“It is forbidden to bring bears to the beach.”
Understandable, but who did this and had to be arrested for it? Yo Bobby, check out my pet bear.

“Only police officers may shoot birds in the city.”
Whose idea was it that a police officer was allowed to shoot a bird anyway?

“It is illegal to give a dog whiskey.”
Do I want to know why?

“One may not roam the city with a bow and arrows.”
No comment. Although I like the word ‘roam’.

“Mustaches are illegal if the bearer has a tendency to habitually kiss other humans.”
Oh wow. The wording on this one is beautiful. Tendency to habitually kiss - In other words you can’t have a mustache if you’re not single, is that it?

“A law to reduce crime states: It is mandatory for a motorist with criminal intentions to stop at the city limits and telephone the chief of police as he is entering the town.”
As if they’re gonna follow this law, either. I don’t mind whoever came up with the idea; my problem is, who approved it?

“All residents shall bathe every Saturday night.”
Together? o O

“Even if one gets his/her change stolen by a vending machine, hitting the machine violates a city ordinance.”
But you know this isn’t going to stop people.

“It is illegal to wear transparent clothing.”
Who tried this?

“You may not dance or wear shorts on the main avenue.”
…No comment…

“Hard objects may not be thrown by hand.”
Say goodbye to horseshoes, basketball, football and baseball.

And now, some of my favorites - the only ones I could actually find on the site are the first three

North Carolina: “Women must have their bodies covered by at least 16 yards of cloth at all times.”
No kids for you.

Washington State: “All lollipops are banned.”
Let me repeat that. All. Lollipops. Are banned. BANNED. B&, LOLLIPOPS.

Also Washington State: “If two trains come to a crossing, neither shall go until the other has passed.”
Is that…? That’s not physically possible. That just doesn’t work.

This one I can only paraphrase.
If you’re driving down the road in this state (can’t remember which) and you frighten a horse someone is riding, you must stop your car, get out of it, take it apart and hide the parts in the bushes until the horse has gone.
I have nothing to say to that.