Strange laws

[tb884]

It seems like every state has certain laws that don't make sense, either for the state in particular or just in general. For example, there is a law against whale hunting in Oklahoma. Why any reasonable Oklahoman would even consider hunting whales is beyond me. All the same, I'm curious: If a police officer found someone breaking a law like this (say I went out to Lake Thunderbird with a spear and a boat to hunt whales for argument's sake), how would they respond?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

We'd respond with a camera to take photos and laugh at you.

[txinvestigator1]

It seems like every state has certain laws that don't make sense, either for the state in particular or just in general. For example, there is a law against whale hunting in Oklahoma. Why any reasonable Oklahoman would even consider hunting whales is beyond me. All the same, I'm curious: If a police officer found someone breaking a law like this (say I went out to Lake Thunderbird with a spear and a boat to hunt whales for argument's sake), how would they respond?

I do not believe you. Can you provide a link to said law?

[SnapShawt]

Whales are not specifically mentioned in the Oklahoma hunting/wildlife regulations. The code is:

OKLAHOMA STATUTES
TITLE 29
GAME AND FISH
§29-2-135. Threatened.
“Threatened” refers to any wildlife species or subspecies in the wild or in captivity that, although not presently threatened with extinction, are in such small numbers throughout their range that they may become an endangered species within the foreseeable future or that they may be endangered if their environment deteriorates.

Someone said hey, that means whales too! And they're correct. Indeed MOST states have laws that by their language would also include whales. They read the code, knew it must INCLUDE whales, and started the whole, "Whale hunting is illegal in Oklahoma" gig, when in reality it's illegal in most states by the language of the code. So yes, it is true, but you will no find "whaling" or "whale hunting" specifically mentioned in the code.

Clinton, Oklahoma DOES have an ordinance against molesting automobiles, which came about because someone was actually caught doing this but there was nothing in law preventing it at the time. Other laws covered it (public indecency laws), so I don't know why they decided an ordinance was necessary. You can feel the rims and stroke the rearviews, but no tail pipe penetration!

[Creeker]

Up until the last several years it was, among other things, illegal to wear pants with hip pockets in SC. That law was passed during Prohibition, when men used to carry their flasks there.

Most of those type of laws were repealed along with laws that made it illegal to comingle the races in marriage, etc. within the last 5-8 years.

I am sure there are still some really stupid ones on the books, like spitting on the sidewalk.

Our "No Obscene Bumper Stickers" Law is fairly new, though.:rolleyes:

[Oldbillplod]

It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses.

It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.

It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down.

In France, it is forbidden to call a pig Napoleon.

Under the UK’s Tax Avoidance Schemes Regulations 2006, it is illegal not to tell the taxman anything you don’t want him to know, though you don’t have to tell him anything you don’t mind him knowing.

In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.

In Ohio, it is against state law to get a fish drunk.

Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.

In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.

In Lancashire, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.

In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.

In Indonesia, the penalty for masturbation is decapitation.

In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day.

In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside.

In San Salvador, drunk drivers can be punished by death before a firing squad.

In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.

In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed.

In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.

In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.

In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.

In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.

In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.

In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.

In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman’s genitals but is forbidden from looking directly at them during the examination; he may only see their reflection in a mirror.

The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset.

[Creeker]

Is it also true that in England you must have a license to watch Television?

[Samuel]

Is it also true that in England you must have a license to watch Television?

Exceptions would be Benny Hill and Monty Python... :p

[Samuel]

It seems like every state has certain laws that don't make sense, either for the state in particular or just in general. For example, there is a law against whale hunting in Oklahoma. Why any reasonable Oklahoman would even consider hunting whales is beyond me. All the same, I'm curious: If a police officer found someone breaking a law like this (say I went out to Lake Thunderbird with a spear and a boat to hunt whales for argument's sake), how would they respond?

IIRC, you can't post about strange laws on Easter Sunday or any other Christian religious holiday... :eek:

[txinvestigator1]

Whales are not specifically mentioned in the Oklahoma hunting/wildlife regulations. The code is:

OKLAHOMA STATUTES
TITLE 29
GAME AND FISH
§29-2-135. Threatened.
“Threatened” refers to any wildlife species or subspecies in the wild or in captivity that, although not presently threatened with extinction, are in such small numbers throughout their range that they may become an endangered species within the foreseeable future or that they may be endangered if their environment deteriorates.

Someone said hey, that means whales too! And they're correct. Indeed MOST states have laws that by their language would also include whales. They read the code, knew it must INCLUDE whales, and started the whole, "Whale hunting is illegal in Oklahoma" gig, when in reality it's illegal in most states by the language of the code. So yes, it is true, but you will no find "whaling" or "whale hunting" specifically mentioned in the code.

That is simply a definition of "threatened". It is not a law that prohibits anything. ;)

[Oldbillplod]

Is it also true that in England you must have a license to watch Television?

Yep