Which of these absurd laws are still on the books in the United States of America as of 2021?
In Indiana, you're not allowed to sniff toxic vapors of any kind (most used example is glue) with, "intent to cause a condition of intoxication, euphoria, excitement, exhilaration, stupefaction, or dulling of the senses."
In Rhode Island, Every person who shall voluntarily, maliciously or of purpose bite off, or disable any limb or dismember another, shall be imprisoned not exceeding twenty (20) years nor less than one year.
In Connecticut, since 1996 every person caught selling and/or in possession of Silly String© will face an upwards of a $99 and a repossession of all product(s).
More Info:
www.mentalfloss.com
What are your thoughts on this subject?
21 Comments
Pat Wells
Making it illegal to sniff glue is not an absurd law.
Chip Combs
Laws against sniffing glue & intoxication are NOT Absurd!!
cdowdy aks
I understand prohibition of sniffing glue, biting off or dismembering another’s limb, certainly, BUT silly string, go figure??😯
RUBY'S mom
Silly string?.??? Come on!
Richard D. Boyle
Ruby is VERY new so I went with the conventional answer to this type of question.
Joe Andrel
there is an old book, I beleive it it the Tainted Pickle Law. That has all these silly laws
rickharter
Pat Wells, yes it is absurd and one of the millions of examples of government run amok
klmilles
Richard D. Boyle, Ruby appears to be a new clone.
Robin Heckler
Silly String is only banned in one town in CT. Southington,CT decided to ban it after a parade in which 2 police officers were the victims of practical jokers who sprayed them with the string while they were riding in the parade on their motorcycles. Band members also had their instruments damaged and many others marching in the parade had their clothing damaged by the dyes in the string. The police officers nearly crashed their motorcycles because of the silly string and the smoke bombs that were detonated at the same time. The city council decided those two normally harmless party favors had to be banned to prevent this from happening again.
Phil Kennelty
All three are correct as usual. though I don't understand how sniffing glue will get you to Indiana; or how high you can get in Indiana - there aren't many mountains there. Apologies to all Hoosiers.
Take A. Guess
A Nation of Law's,to many-laws !
How about leaving ,some room ,for common sense !?
bettye
Debbie Moser, I think Silly String was originally intended to make casts (for broken limbs). I assume it wasn't effective.
Patty K
There are some some weird laws still in effect in the US simply because they are so old, they've been forgotten for the most part and hardly ever prosecuted. In Cleveland, Ohio, a woman cannot wear patent leather shoes (it was thought a man could look up a woman's skirt because of the shine). Other laws (can't remember which state) say no ice cream cone in the back pocket, can't transport a bear in your car, can't eat fried chicken on Sunday. That last one is from the south and I have no idea why such a law was made!
Char
RUBY'S mom, I think I remember about it making a mess and being destructive.n
Char
Thanks Ruby I knew about silly string and toxic vapors but not about biting yet it should be unless you're protecting yourself.
Ann Young
RUBY'S mom, When my sons were in high school band, people would throw Silly String at the instruments and sometimes mess them up. Perhaps, that's why it was outlawed.
John W Shreve
Jim Kepler, Sniffers know Elmers won't do a thing for you. Airplane glue is great, though dangerous. When we had mimeograph machines, the ink eradicator could do it for you. Paint stripper, lots of stuff. You knew when you smelled it.
Ken Putnam
And the curse of "All are correct" continues