Laws that you cannot believe still exist

[Giest4life]

There a lot of funny, erratic laws around the world and in the States that absolutely make no sense in the 21st century. However, I did not know that until yesterday's referendum, Malta had a <url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13588834>Divorce Ban. I mean, Holy Shit, did they actually enforce that thing?

Malta has voted "Yes" in a non-binding referendum on legalising divorce, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has conceded, local media report.

So, Escapists, are you aware of any laws that are in place in your country or around the world but still can't believe they are there?

 

[shadowslayer81]

http://www.ahajokes.com/laws022.html
They devote websites to this stuff.

 

[Melon Hunter]

Absolutely loads in the UK, due to medieval laws never being repealed. One of the more famous ones is that is is the legal duty for every English male over the age of 14 to do 2 hours of longbow practice every day except Sunday. Also, it is illegal to eat any meat but goose on Christmas Day in Britain (dates back to the rule of Oliver Cromwell, I believe)

 

[DefunctTheory]

In before weed squad.

Some areas in the United States have completely unenforced voting legislation (Race/Gender). Granted, all of them have been rendered moot do to federal legislation, but its still on the books.

 

[tigermilk]

[Insert obligatory rant about cannabis being illegal].

I would be mad if I wasn't so high at the moment.

 

[FalloutJack]

Let me be the first to say that the combination of not being allowed to drive drunk AND not being able to be drunk in public is asinine. The first one is, of course, for our protection. Drunk driving is a danger to all and we accept that. The second one makes the whole thing stupid because if you are drunk and you are not driving home, you are getting home by some other means, probably walking. At the very least, you're walking to where a bus is or even to where you may find a cab. But regardless of whether that is the case or not, police are allowed to pick you up and cite you for being publically drunk EVEN IF YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY NOT ENDANGERING OTHERS!

What a load of assholes...

 

[KingGolem]

In my home state of Georgia there is still a law against sodomy, and I think it's illegal for atheists to run for public office. The first is completely unenforcible, and the second is really just adding insult to injury, since an openly atheist candidate could probably never get elected to public office in Georgia.

 

[Dags90]

At the very least, you're walking to where a bus is or even to where you may find a cab. But regardless of whether that is the case or not, police are allowed to pick you up and cite you for being publically drunk EVEN IF YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY NOT ENDANGERING OTHERS!

What a load of assholes...

Obviously the solution is to burrow your way home like some sort of inebriated mole.

It's illegal to pump your own gasoline (petrol) in New Jersey.

 

[Demonicdan]

In one English county you can shoot a welshman with a bow and arrow legally.