No Laser Pointers for Minors

In California, you may not sell a laser pointer to anyone under 18 who is not accompanied by an adult. (Ca. Penal Code § 417.27)

Gee, I'd hate to be accused of selling office supplies to underage persons.

Cemetary for Locals Only

In Augusta, Maine, cemetery plots may only be sold to residents or their heirs. (Augusta Ord. Sec. 6.5-380) So if you plan to be buried here, you need to move here while you are still alive.

No Near Beer to Minors in Michigan

In Michigan, you may not sell or give a minor a "cereal beverage" that has ANY alcohol at all - even a fraction of a percent - if it is sold under a name like "near beer," "which is capable of conveying the impression to the purchaser that the beverage has an alcoholic content." (Mich. Stat. Ann. § 750.28)

So if it is branded so that someone might think it contains alcohol, you can't sell it to the kids. After all, they may think they get drunk off of it!

No Pinball in Maui

In Maui County, Hawaii, minors are not allowed to play pinball, "or to loiter or linger about" a pinball machine. (Maui County Code Sec. 9.12.010)

More Dancing Issues!!

In Augusta, Maine, it is unlawful to dim the lights of a dance hall during a dance. (Augusta, Maine Code 1970, § 3-24; Ord. No. 244, 1-6-92)

Illinois Dance Studios

In Illinois, contracts with dance studios may not be for more than one year. (§ 815 ILCS 610/7)

Wipe Your Feet Before Stepping on the Sidewalk!

In Brentwood, Tennessee, it is unlawful to track mud on the sidewalk. (Ord. Sec. 58-5)

The actual ordinance states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to litter, place, throw, track or allow to fall or erode onto any street, alley, or sidewalk any refuse, gravel, glass, tacks, dirt, mud or other objects or materials which are unsightly or which obstruct or tend to limit or interfere with the use of such public ways and places for their intended purposes."

Rather broadly worded, eh?

Note from your Parents?

In Indiana, it is a misdemeanor for someone holding a permit to sell alcohol to let a minor hang around, if the permit holder has received a written note from one of the child's parents saying "that the person is in fact a minor and directing that he be excluded from the licensed premises." (Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-14)

I always knew a note from Mom was powerful, but never realized you could go to jail for ignoring it!

Nevada Criminals Watch Out!

In Winnemucca, Nevada, it is unlawful for a fugitive from justice to possess a stun gun. (Ord. Sec. 9.24.010)

I'm sure that ordinance prevents many fugitives from carrying stun guns. The citizens of Winnemucca can breathe easy.

Dancing in Maine

In Augusta, Maine, you must notify the police chief 48 hours in advance before you may hold a dance. (Code 1970, § 3-1; Ord. No. 244, 1-6-92)

Silly Law: No Slingshots in the Park

In Corinth, Mississippi, it is illegal to possess a slingshot in a public park. Not only that, but the penalty is up to a year in the county jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The crime and penalty are the same for a slingshot as for a shotgun, brass knuckles, or a switchblade knife. (Corinth Ordinances Sec. 21-22)

Sure. Having a slingshot in your back pocket is certainly just as bad as waving around a shotgun, or having a pistol in your pocket, right?

More Spitting Rules

In Bullhead City, Arizona, it is unlawful for a person to spit in a city park. (City Code Sec. 9.08.090)

The complete code section states: "It is unlawful for any person to spit upon any of the public sidewalks or crosswalks in the city or upon any public path, byway or highway or in or on any public grounds or park in the city, or upon the floor or interior of any public building in the city."

Keep Maui Nuke-Free

Under Section 8.28.050 of the Maui County, Hawaii Code of Ordinances, it is unlawful to build nuclear weapons in the county. You can't even build them as a hobby.

Dumb Law of the Day: Don't Leave the State to Watch Boxing

Under Section 414 of the California Penal Code, it is a crime in California to leave the state to watch a professional boxing match.

No Dumpster Diving in Brentwood

The Brentwood, Tennessee Code of Ordinances Sec. 54-4 states:

"No unauthorized person shall uncover, rifle, pilfer, dig into, turn over or in any other manner disturb or use any refuse container belonging to another. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of public refuse containers for their intended purpose."

So leave your neighbor's trash alone, even if he is throwing away that signed Jimmy Hendrix poster or collection of ivory elephants you always loved.

No Spitting on the Sidewalk

The Hemet, California Code of Ordinances, Sec. 46-7:

"It is unlawful for any person in the city to spit or expectorate on the floor, walls or stairs of any public building, place of worship, place of amusement or public vehicle or upon any public sidewalk within the city."

So there really is a town where it is illegal to spit on the sidewalk.

Signage Issues in Indiana

In Indiana, unless it is in connection with "sporting event, festival, or holiday held in Indiana," you may not have a sign within 200 feet of a liquor store advertising an alcoholic beverage by brand name. (Ind. Code § 7.1-5-2-7)

We'd hate to have a store advertising what they sell, right? I suppose you could have a big sign atop a liquor store advertising "VODKA," so long as it does not mention a brand.

Keep Your Animals Out of the Cemetery!

In Michigan, if you allow your domestic animals or fowl to run free, it is a crime to allow them to enter a cemetery. (Mich Stat. Ann. § 750.67)

I guess none of those sob stories about a dog sitting at his master's grave took place in Michigan.