Discover 50 bizarre bans you’d never expect in the US
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You’ve heard of odd laws, but some of the bans still on the books are truly surprising.
Often forgotten or rarely enforced, these rules range from harmless to head-scratching—but remain legally binding.
And while many may seem too specific or outdated to be real, they reflect how unusual concerns once shaped local and national policy.
Some of these laws might even exist where you live, without you ever knowing.
Across the US, some laws are so strange they almost sound made up—including the long-standing federal ban on Kinder Surprise eggs, which haven’t been sold in stores since 1997.
But the list doesn’t stop there. All over the country, there are bizarre bans still in effect—many tied to specific towns or states.
Some have been forgotten over time, while others remain technically active despite being outdated or superseded by newer laws.
Here’s a list of some of the most unusual, oddly specific, and downright puzzling bans still active across the US today.
Alabama: Bear wrestling is a no-go
You might be surprised to learn that in Mobile, Alabama, silly string and confetti are illegal. But across the whole state, one strange ban stands out: bear wrestling. That’s right—organizing, promoting, or even training a bear for wrestling is strictly prohibited. Selling tickets to such matches is also against the law. Frankly, if we ever saw a bear, wrestling would be the last thing on our minds.
Alaska: Bows and arrows banned in bars
While it’s illegal in Alaska to enter a bar while already intoxicated (which makes sense), things get odd in Nome, where you can’t carry a bow and arrow in public—even though hunting with bows is otherwise permitted in the state.
Arizona: Camel hunting is off limits
Hunting camels in Arizona is outlawed—which might seem puzzling since camels aren’t native to the US. But here’s the backstory: before the Civil War, the US Army used camels in the Arizona desert for transport. When the experiment ended, the camels were set free—and to this day, they remain protected.
Arkansas: Sandwich shop honking curfew
In Little Rock, honking your horn outside a sandwich shop after 9 PM is illegal. If you’re at a drive-thru and feeling impatient, best to take a deep breath and wait quietly.
California: Disguises with false whiskers are illegal
Back in 1872, California passed a law targeting disguises—specifically false whiskers. Wearing a fake mustache or beard becomes a legal issue only if you’re using it to commit or flee from a crime. So unless you're trying to escape justice in disguise, you’re probably safe.
Colorado: No lobbing missiles at vehicles
In Alamosa, Colorado, there's a law that explicitly prohibits throwing missiles at cars. While it's common sense not to hurl anything at moving vehicles, Alamosa decided to put it in writing—just to be clear.
Also read: Avoid a hefty $1k fine with this urgent update on the new "illegal passing" laws that could catch you off-guard!
Connecticut: Kissing on Sundays is a crime
If you’re in Hartford, Connecticut, think twice before puckering up on a Sunday—it’s illegal for a man to kiss his wife that day. No one really knows why this rule exists, but it's one of those archaic laws still technically on the books.
Delaware: Sunday trick-or-treating is forbidden
In Rehoboth Beach, if Halloween falls on a Sunday, trick-or-treating is officially moved to October 30. Doesn’t matter if it’s the 31st—local law says no spooky door-knocking on Sundays.
Florida: Internet cafés are outlawed
In 2013, Florida passed House Bill 155 to target illegal gambling at internet cafés. The unintended result? A blanket ban that shut down about 1,000 internet cafés statewide. The law remains in place, though establishments continue trying to find workarounds.
Georgia: No cursing the dead
In Georgia, using profanity around a dead body—yes, even in a funeral home—can land you in hot water.
Hawaii: Texting and walking don’t mix
Honolulu banned texting while crossing the street in 2017. Fines start at $15 and can go up to $99 for repeat violations.
Idaho: Even being near pot is a crime
In Idaho, you don’t need to be caught using marijuana to get in trouble. Just being in a home where it’s present can earn you a $300 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Illinois: Sagging pants could cost you
Since 2008, Lynwood has banned pants that expose more than three inches of underwear. Violators can face fines up to $750.
Indiana: Leave the fish alone
In Indiana, using a gun or your bare hands to catch fish is against the law. You’ll have to stick to traditional fishing methods.
Iowa: No naked flashing
Iowa law states that exposing one's “genitals or pubes” to provoke sexual desire is a serious misdemeanor—unless it’s your spouse.
Kansas: BB guns are stricter than shotguns
In Kansas City, minors can’t buy cap or BB guns—but they can legally purchase a shotgun. The ban only applies to firearms with barrels under 12 inches.
Kentucky: No dyed bunny sales
In Kentucky, it’s illegal to dye and sell baby bunnies (or chicks, or ducklings). Violators could be fined up to $500.
Louisiana: Vampirism isn’t welcome
Louisiana bans consuming blood—human or animal—and violators could face up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine.
Maine: No roller-skating on sidewalks
In Biddeford, using the sidewalk for skating or biking is illegal. And in Augusta, even lemonade stands need police approval.
Maryland: Clean language only
In Cumberland, profanity is banned at playgrounds. Stub your toe? Better bite your tongue.
Massachusetts: Mind the tree size
After a driver was stopped in Sudbury for transporting an oversized Christmas tree, local police reminded everyone: make sure your tree fits your vehicle.
Michigan: Don’t pee in public
Public urination can result in a fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. In some cities, you could even be required to register as a sex offender.
Minnesota: Public drunkenness isn’t a crime
Being drunk in public isn’t illegal in Minnesota, though other offenses (like property damage or assault) still are.
Mississippi: No teaching polygamy
Promoting or teaching the “doctrines” of polygamy in Mississippi is a crime punishable by one to six months in jail.
Missouri: No vehicle hitchhiking
In Columbia, Missouri it’s illegal to latch onto a moving vehicle while on roller skates or a bicycle.
Montana: Rats aren’t gifts
Billings prohibits giving rats as gifts—unless they’re meant to feed birds of prey or snakes.
Nebraska: STD? No marriage
Nebraska law prohibits marriage for anyone with a venereal disease. However, courts have ruled that such a marriage isn’t automatically void—just voidable.
Nevada: Don’t lie down in public
In Reno, lying down on the sidewalk is forbidden—unless it’s an emergency.
New Hampshire: Seaweed belongs to the beach
Collecting seaweed from the shore is illegal in New Hampshire. Take only photos, leave only footprints.
New Jersey: No texting while walking
Fort Lee cracked down on texting pedestrians. Break the rule, and you’ll face an $85 fine.
New Mexico: Dueling is still banned
No matter how old-school your feud is, you can’t legally duel in New Mexico.
New York: Wait until 10 for mimosas
In New York City, alcohol can’t be served before 10 a.m. on Sundays. So early brunch plans? Hold the champagne.
North Carolina: Some love is illegal
Unmarried couples who “lewdly and lasciviously associate” can be charged with a misdemeanor under North Carolina’s “crimes against nature” law.
North Dakota: No birds in bed
Performing a “deviate sexual act” with a bird (or any animal—or dead person) is illegal in North Dakota. The penalty? Up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Ohio: No Sunday arrests
Ohio law bans arrests on Sundays, the Fourth of July, or while the State Congress is in session.
Oklahoma: Horse-tripping is outlawed
Oklahoma prohibits horse-tripping, a cruel rodeo event involving roping a horse’s legs. Animal lovers, rejoice.
Also read: A bite of America: 50 iconic dishes that define every US state
Oregon: No pee bottles
Disposing of human waste containers—like bottles of urine—on or near a highway in Oregon is against the law.
Pennsylvania: Cellphones banned in court
Lancaster County courthouses bar all cellphones and recording devices—including for journalists.
Rhode Island: No biting off body parts
Rhode Island outlaws biting off someone’s limb or disfiguring their face. Penalty? Up to 20 years behind bars.
South Carolina: No work on Sundays
Most businesses can’t operate on Sundays in South Carolina—unless you observe the Sabbath on Saturday instead.
South Dakota: Static is illegal
In Huron, it’s illegal to cause interference with TV signals. That includes certain types of “static.”
Tennessee: Netflix password sharing = crime
A 2011 law made it a crime to share streaming service passwords. Penalties include up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Read next: Big savings are on the horizon! This discount giant is rolling out 50 new stores—will one open near you?
There have been more bizarre bans from coast to coast. Have you ever encountered a strange local law? Share your story in the comments—your experiences might surprise us all!
Often forgotten or rarely enforced, these rules range from harmless to head-scratching—but remain legally binding.
And while many may seem too specific or outdated to be real, they reflect how unusual concerns once shaped local and national policy.
Some of these laws might even exist where you live, without you ever knowing.
Across the US, some laws are so strange they almost sound made up—including the long-standing federal ban on Kinder Surprise eggs, which haven’t been sold in stores since 1997.
But the list doesn’t stop there. All over the country, there are bizarre bans still in effect—many tied to specific towns or states.
Some have been forgotten over time, while others remain technically active despite being outdated or superseded by newer laws.
Across the US, strange bans like the Kinder Surprise egg law still exist—many outdated, oddly specific, and quietly lingering in state or local codes. Image Source: Niu Niu / Unsplash
Here’s a list of some of the most unusual, oddly specific, and downright puzzling bans still active across the US today.
Alabama: Bear wrestling is a no-go
You might be surprised to learn that in Mobile, Alabama, silly string and confetti are illegal. But across the whole state, one strange ban stands out: bear wrestling. That’s right—organizing, promoting, or even training a bear for wrestling is strictly prohibited. Selling tickets to such matches is also against the law. Frankly, if we ever saw a bear, wrestling would be the last thing on our minds.
Alaska: Bows and arrows banned in bars
While it’s illegal in Alaska to enter a bar while already intoxicated (which makes sense), things get odd in Nome, where you can’t carry a bow and arrow in public—even though hunting with bows is otherwise permitted in the state.
Arizona: Camel hunting is off limits
Hunting camels in Arizona is outlawed—which might seem puzzling since camels aren’t native to the US. But here’s the backstory: before the Civil War, the US Army used camels in the Arizona desert for transport. When the experiment ended, the camels were set free—and to this day, they remain protected.
Arkansas: Sandwich shop honking curfew
In Little Rock, honking your horn outside a sandwich shop after 9 PM is illegal. If you’re at a drive-thru and feeling impatient, best to take a deep breath and wait quietly.
California: Disguises with false whiskers are illegal
Back in 1872, California passed a law targeting disguises—specifically false whiskers. Wearing a fake mustache or beard becomes a legal issue only if you’re using it to commit or flee from a crime. So unless you're trying to escape justice in disguise, you’re probably safe.
Colorado: No lobbing missiles at vehicles
In Alamosa, Colorado, there's a law that explicitly prohibits throwing missiles at cars. While it's common sense not to hurl anything at moving vehicles, Alamosa decided to put it in writing—just to be clear.
Also read: Avoid a hefty $1k fine with this urgent update on the new "illegal passing" laws that could catch you off-guard!
Connecticut: Kissing on Sundays is a crime
If you’re in Hartford, Connecticut, think twice before puckering up on a Sunday—it’s illegal for a man to kiss his wife that day. No one really knows why this rule exists, but it's one of those archaic laws still technically on the books.
Delaware: Sunday trick-or-treating is forbidden
In Rehoboth Beach, if Halloween falls on a Sunday, trick-or-treating is officially moved to October 30. Doesn’t matter if it’s the 31st—local law says no spooky door-knocking on Sundays.
Florida: Internet cafés are outlawed
In 2013, Florida passed House Bill 155 to target illegal gambling at internet cafés. The unintended result? A blanket ban that shut down about 1,000 internet cafés statewide. The law remains in place, though establishments continue trying to find workarounds.
Georgia: No cursing the dead
In Georgia, using profanity around a dead body—yes, even in a funeral home—can land you in hot water.
Hawaii: Texting and walking don’t mix
Honolulu banned texting while crossing the street in 2017. Fines start at $15 and can go up to $99 for repeat violations.
Idaho: Even being near pot is a crime
In Idaho, you don’t need to be caught using marijuana to get in trouble. Just being in a home where it’s present can earn you a $300 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Illinois: Sagging pants could cost you
Since 2008, Lynwood has banned pants that expose more than three inches of underwear. Violators can face fines up to $750.
Indiana: Leave the fish alone
In Indiana, using a gun or your bare hands to catch fish is against the law. You’ll have to stick to traditional fishing methods.
Iowa: No naked flashing
Iowa law states that exposing one's “genitals or pubes” to provoke sexual desire is a serious misdemeanor—unless it’s your spouse.
Kansas: BB guns are stricter than shotguns
In Kansas City, minors can’t buy cap or BB guns—but they can legally purchase a shotgun. The ban only applies to firearms with barrels under 12 inches.
Kentucky: No dyed bunny sales
In Kentucky, it’s illegal to dye and sell baby bunnies (or chicks, or ducklings). Violators could be fined up to $500.
Louisiana: Vampirism isn’t welcome
Louisiana bans consuming blood—human or animal—and violators could face up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine.
Maine: No roller-skating on sidewalks
In Biddeford, using the sidewalk for skating or biking is illegal. And in Augusta, even lemonade stands need police approval.
Maryland: Clean language only
In Cumberland, profanity is banned at playgrounds. Stub your toe? Better bite your tongue.
Massachusetts: Mind the tree size
After a driver was stopped in Sudbury for transporting an oversized Christmas tree, local police reminded everyone: make sure your tree fits your vehicle.
Michigan: Don’t pee in public
Public urination can result in a fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. In some cities, you could even be required to register as a sex offender.
Minnesota: Public drunkenness isn’t a crime
Being drunk in public isn’t illegal in Minnesota, though other offenses (like property damage or assault) still are.
Mississippi: No teaching polygamy
Promoting or teaching the “doctrines” of polygamy in Mississippi is a crime punishable by one to six months in jail.
Missouri: No vehicle hitchhiking
In Columbia, Missouri it’s illegal to latch onto a moving vehicle while on roller skates or a bicycle.
Montana: Rats aren’t gifts
Billings prohibits giving rats as gifts—unless they’re meant to feed birds of prey or snakes.
Nebraska: STD? No marriage
Nebraska law prohibits marriage for anyone with a venereal disease. However, courts have ruled that such a marriage isn’t automatically void—just voidable.
Nevada: Don’t lie down in public
In Reno, lying down on the sidewalk is forbidden—unless it’s an emergency.
New Hampshire: Seaweed belongs to the beach
Collecting seaweed from the shore is illegal in New Hampshire. Take only photos, leave only footprints.
New Jersey: No texting while walking
Fort Lee cracked down on texting pedestrians. Break the rule, and you’ll face an $85 fine.
New Mexico: Dueling is still banned
No matter how old-school your feud is, you can’t legally duel in New Mexico.
New York: Wait until 10 for mimosas
In New York City, alcohol can’t be served before 10 a.m. on Sundays. So early brunch plans? Hold the champagne.
North Carolina: Some love is illegal
Unmarried couples who “lewdly and lasciviously associate” can be charged with a misdemeanor under North Carolina’s “crimes against nature” law.
North Dakota: No birds in bed
Performing a “deviate sexual act” with a bird (or any animal—or dead person) is illegal in North Dakota. The penalty? Up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Ohio: No Sunday arrests
Ohio law bans arrests on Sundays, the Fourth of July, or while the State Congress is in session.
Oklahoma: Horse-tripping is outlawed
Oklahoma prohibits horse-tripping, a cruel rodeo event involving roping a horse’s legs. Animal lovers, rejoice.
Also read: A bite of America: 50 iconic dishes that define every US state
Oregon: No pee bottles
Disposing of human waste containers—like bottles of urine—on or near a highway in Oregon is against the law.
Pennsylvania: Cellphones banned in court
Lancaster County courthouses bar all cellphones and recording devices—including for journalists.
Rhode Island: No biting off body parts
Rhode Island outlaws biting off someone’s limb or disfiguring their face. Penalty? Up to 20 years behind bars.
South Carolina: No work on Sundays
Most businesses can’t operate on Sundays in South Carolina—unless you observe the Sabbath on Saturday instead.
South Dakota: Static is illegal
In Huron, it’s illegal to cause interference with TV signals. That includes certain types of “static.”
Tennessee: Netflix password sharing = crime
A 2011 law made it a crime to share streaming service passwords. Penalties include up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Read next: Big savings are on the horizon! This discount giant is rolling out 50 new stores—will one open near you?
