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Governing a big country is a tough job, and you are bound to be hated by half of the population you’re ruling. Now, bear in mind that the person on top is also responsible for the laws upon which the whole democratic system is based.

And laws are passed after voting in Congress, sometimes a public vote, and then an affirmation by the president. With these dumb laws that we have compiled below, we’re not sure where common sense got lost.

Did you know that there’s a crazy law in Juneau, Alaska, prohibiting you from bringing your pet flamingo into a barbershop? Or that in Tennessee, you might be prosecuted for sharing your Netflix password? And if you’re from Indiana, are you banned from catching a fish with your bare hands? It sure would be interesting to know why these weirdest laws in the U.S. became laws in the first place.

Though most of these laws sound incredibly dumb now, once they’ve had, or still have, a real pretense. For example, the New York law against people wearing masks in public places is to prevent a mass crime or a riot, since you don't know the assailant’s identity undercover.

And the Arizona one, about camel shooting prohibitions, stems from the United States Camel Corps, an army experiment to use these animals for military forces. So there, as improbable as these laws might seem, they do have comprehensive explanations. Scroll down below for our list of weird rules in the U.S. and share if you know more of these!

#1

Barber Shop Flamingo Fiasco

Map of Alaska with a strange law stating flamingo owners cannot bring their pet into a barbershop, highlighting odd US laws.

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    #2

    Quirky Rules You Didn\'t Know

    Arkansas law against honking a car horn at a sandwich shop after 9pm, one of the most stupid laws in the U.S.

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    #3

    Quirky Laws You Didn’t Know

    Map of the U.S. highlighting a strange law in Arizona about refusing to serve a glass of water among stupid laws.

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    Alec
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In a desert environment that's not necessarily a crazy law

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    #4

    Password Police Territory

    Map of the U.S. highlighting a strange Tennessee law about sharing Netflix passwords under stupid laws keyword.

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    Gigi Carnegie
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ME: HEY, MOM! whats the Netflix password!? MUM: Umm, sorry, I am not entitled to give you that information, darling. That's called breaking the law. ME: *stands in awe*

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    #5

    Strange Laws You Didn’t Know

    Map of Kentucky highlighting a strange law where dogs are prohibited from chasing people or other animals.

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    SapphireDolphin10
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What are you going to tell the dog if they do. Me: it's against the law! Stop doggy! Dog: ?

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    #7

    Bare Hands No-Go

    Map of the U.S. highlighting Indiana with a strange law about catching fish with bare hands, referencing stupid laws.

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    #8

    Curds and Consequences

    Map of South Dakota highlighting a stupid law making it illegal to fall asleep in a cheese factory in the U.S.

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    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that this is actually a law is what disturbs me the most about this.

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    #9

    Only in Alabama

    Map of the U.S. highlighting a strange law in Alabama about bear wrestling, illustrating the most stupid laws in the U.S.

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    Brittney Hay
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm from Alabama and it's also illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket... Just FYI

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    #10

    Not Your Kids For Sale

    Map of the U.S. highlighting a strange Florida law stating it is illegal to sell your children among stupid laws.

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    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok this one makes some sense... but the fact that it is a law is disturbing... were people actually selling their kids at one point? (I'm sorry if that was a stupid question, I'm only fifteen)

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    #11

    Legal Loopholes in Booze Deals

    Map of the U.S. highlighting a strange law in Georgia banning 2-for-1 deals on alcoholic drinks as part of stupid laws.

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    #12

    Strange Pet Laws

    Map of the U.S. highlighting Montana with a stupid law about owning a pet rat in Billings city.

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    KileyDriscoll
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aw too bad I wouldn't be able to have a pet rat named Splinter if I lived there XD

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    #14

    Group Rules, Clearly Stated

    Map of the U.S. showing a strange law in New York about groups wearing masks in public, highlighting stupid laws.

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    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What are they going to do? Arrest little kids on Halloween? RIDICULOUS!!!

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    #15

    Pinball Banned Here

    Map of the U.S. highlighting a stupid law in California making it illegal to own a pinball machine.

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    #16

    Rules Only When Asked

    Map of the U.S. highlighting Colorado with a law about taunting police officers in Boulder, one of the most stupid laws.

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    StephanieReyes
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So as long as the officer doesn't ask you to stop it's not illegal?

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    #17

    Highway Rules, Horse Edition

    Map of the U.S. highlighting Rhode Island with a quote about a stupid law banning horse racing on the highway.

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    #18

    Fishing with a Twist

    Map of the U.S. highlighting Wyoming, showing the stupid law against using a firearm to fish.

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    BeckyWhitehall
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are doing something wrong if you are using a firearm hahaha :')

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    #19

    Whistling Off Limits

    Map of the U.S. featuring a stupid law in Connecticut banning the use of a bean whistle in public.

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    #20

    State Law Plot Twist

    Map of the U.S. highlighting Delaware with a stupid law about A rated movies at drive-in theatres.

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    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aww come on Delaware don't ruin the fun. :D

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