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In her “I Fought The Law” series, Olivia Locher has come up with a series of images that creatively poke fun at some of the more absurd laws in effect in the United States. Each photo is a tongue-in-cheek rebellion that intentionally violates some absurd U.S. State law, most of which are outdated or bizarrely specific.

Some of these laws are simply outdated historical laws, while other are total headscratchers. It’s hard to imagine why riding bikes in swimming pools is illegal in California or why wine can’t be served in teacups in Kansas. And it begs the questions – was people working out while driving such a big problem in Oregon that they had to outlaw it? Other laws, while weird, have historical context and are simply outdated. It’s illegal to carry an ice-cream cone in your back pocket in Alabama because this was an ingenious way for horse thieves to steal horses. They could lead away horses with the ice-cream without ever having to lay hands on them, thereby not technically stealing the horses until they were “lost.”

To see more of this talented artist’s photography or more of this cheeky series, check out her website!

More info: olivialocher.com

#1

In Alabama, It Is Illegal To Have An Ice-Cream Cone In Your Back Pocket

In Alabama, It Is Illegal To Have An Ice-Cream Cone In Your Back Pocket

Olivia Locher Report

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Zenozenobee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who on Earth thought it could be a good idea to carry an ice-cream cone in his/her back pocket ?

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#2

In Ohio, It’s Illegal To Disrobe In Front Of A Man's Portrait

In Ohio, It’s Illegal To Disrobe In Front Of A Man's Portrait

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#3

In Pennsylvania, It’s Illegal To Tie A Dollar Bill To A String And Pull It Away When Someone Tries To Pick It Up

In Pennsylvania, It’s Illegal To Tie A Dollar Bill To A String And Pull It Away When Someone Tries To Pick It Up

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#4

In Arizona, You May Not Have More Than Two Dildos In A House

In Arizona, You May Not Have More Than Two Dildos In A House

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#5

In Minnessota A Person May Not Cross State Lines With A Bird Atop His Head

In Minnessota A Person May Not Cross State Lines With A Bird Atop His Head

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Talia Johnson
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But walking around within a state with a bird on your head is fine. Okaaaaay.

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#6

In Nevada, It’s Illegal To Put An American Flag On A Bar Of Soap

In Nevada, It’s Illegal To Put An American Flag On A Bar Of Soap

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess a bar of soap was rare back in the days this law was passed. And in haste to grab the rare commodity, it was possible to destroy the flag. Or something like that?

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#7

In Utah, No One May Walk Down The Street Carrying A Paper Bag Containing A Violin

In Utah, No One May Walk Down The Street Carrying A Paper Bag Containing A Violin

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#8

In Oklahoma It's Illegal To Make Love With An Automobile

In Oklahoma It's Illegal To Make Love With An Automobile

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#9

In Connecticut, Pickles Must Bounce To Officially Be Considered Pickles

In Connecticut, Pickles Must Bounce To Officially Be Considered Pickles

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Robbie Shorley
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her - 'What do you do for a living?' Me- 'I'm a pickle bouncer'. Her - *swoons

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#10

In California, Nobody Is Allowed To Ride A Bicycle In A Swimming Pool

In California, Nobody Is Allowed To Ride A Bicycle In A Swimming Pool

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They do an awful lot of strange things there. This is tame in comparison.

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#11

In New Jersey A Person Can Be Arrested For Slurping Soup In Public

In New Jersey A Person Can Be Arrested For Slurping Soup In Public

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#12

In Maine It’s Unlawful To Tickle Women Under The Chin With A Feather Duster

In Maine It’s Unlawful To Tickle Women Under The Chin With A Feather Duster

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#13

In Indiana, It’s Illegal For A Man To Be Sexually Aroused In Public

In Indiana, It’s Illegal For A Man To Be Sexually Aroused In Public

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you don't tie that thing down, "you're in ah heap ah trouble boy." :O

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#14

In Michigan It's Illegal To Paint Sparrows To Sell Them As Parakeets

In Michigan It's Illegal To Paint Sparrows To Sell Them As Parakeets

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#15

In Texas, It Is Illegal For Children To Have Unusual Haircuts

In Texas, It Is Illegal For Children To Have Unusual Haircuts

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Zenozenobee
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder who decide what's unusual. I mean if tomorrow Nicki Minaj or anyone else decide to shave her/his head except a blue strand of hair right above the left ear and a yellow one on the back. It would be ugly af, but if few hundred kids copy her/him and it become a trend, would it be punishable by law?

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#16

In Maryland Hammering A Nail Into A Tree Is Punishable By A Fifty Dollar Fine

In Maryland Hammering A Nail Into A Tree Is Punishable By A Fifty Dollar Fine

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes practical sense. If the tree needs to be cut down, and a person is using a chain saw, the damage from the chain hitting the nail and then breaking can injure or kill the chain saw user. Makes sense on public lands.

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#17

In Rhode Island, It Is Illegal To Wear Transparent Clothing

In Rhode Island, It Is Illegal To Wear Transparent Clothing

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#18

In Virginia, Spitting On A Seagull Is Punishable By A Fine

In Virginia, Spitting On A Seagull Is Punishable By A Fine

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#19

In Hawaii Coins Are Not Allowed To Be Placed In One’s Ears

In Hawaii Coins Are Not Allowed To Be Placed In One’s Ears

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Tony Cabré
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can magicians take them out of your ears then ? Not fair, not fair at all

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#20

In Kansas, It’s Illegal To Serve Wine In Teacups

In Kansas, It’s Illegal To Serve Wine In Teacups

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Kikari Grace
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, this is dated, but there was a logical reason: People were trying to get around alcohol regulations by sneakily serving alcohol in teacups, so as to make it look like they weren't serving alcohol, and so they made that illegal. The idea being that it must be obvious you're serving alcohol.

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#21

In Kentucky, It’s Illegal To Lick A Toad

In Kentucky, It’s Illegal To Lick A Toad

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#23

In Wisconsin It Is Illegal To Serve Apple Pie In Public Restaurants Without Cheese

In Wisconsin It Is Illegal To Serve Apple Pie In Public Restaurants Without Cheese

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The Cappy
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strange. I'd have thought apple pie with cheese is what should have been outlawed.

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#24

In Arkansas It’s Illegal To Kill Or Preserve Any Living Creature Without A License

In Arkansas It’s Illegal To Kill Or Preserve Any Living Creature Without A License

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Me.
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Noooo I stepped on an ant in Arkansas last year :,( I'm now an international criminal.

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#25

In South Dakota It’s Unlawful To Cause Static

In South Dakota It’s Unlawful To Cause Static

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Daria B
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I lived in Dakota, I might as well spend my winter in prison then. I unwillingly cause so much electricity, I sometimes think I'm either a robot or a mutant with electric powers. Wish I could charge my phone batteries with my hands. Okay, I better stop here.

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#26

In Washington, It’s Illegal To Paint Polka Dots On The American Flag

In Washington, It’s Illegal To Paint Polka Dots On The American Flag

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The Cappy
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The actions which prompted this law almost certainly were not as innocent as a little girl doodling on a flag.

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#27

In Colorado, It’s Illegal To Have Weeds In Your Yard

In Colorado, It’s Illegal To Have Weeds In Your Yard

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Kat Hoth
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who decided it's a weed? Dandelions are the first food in spring for bees.

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#28

In Missouri, It’s Illegal To Deface A Milk Carton

In Missouri, It’s Illegal To Deface A Milk Carton

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#29

In Nebraska, It’s Illegal For A Parent To Perm Their Child’s Hair Without A State License

In Nebraska, It’s Illegal For A Parent To Perm Their Child’s Hair Without A State License

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#30

Oregon: One May Not Test Their Physical Endurance While Driving A Car On The Highway

Oregon: One May Not Test Their Physical Endurance While Driving A Car On The Highway

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Jose Baeyens
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was younger I had a girlfriend who tested my endurance while driving.... Good times.... ;)

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#31

In Florida, A Person May Not Appear In Public Clothed In Liquid Latex

In Florida, A Person May Not Appear In Public Clothed In Liquid Latex

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#32

In Louisiana, It’s Illegal To Gargle In Public

In Louisiana, It’s Illegal To Gargle In Public

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#33

In Delaware It Is Illegal To Wear Pants That Are “form - Fitting” Around The Waist

In Delaware It Is Illegal To Wear Pants That Are “form - Fitting” Around The Waist

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#34

In Wyoming, It’s Illegal For A Hairdresser To Groom One’s Pubic Hair

In Wyoming, It’s Illegal For A Hairdresser To Groom One’s Pubic Hair

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Andrew Cas
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well we all know what there Wyoming hairdressers look like in a bikini now !

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#36

In Delaware It’s Illegal To Serve Perfume As Liquor

In Delaware It’s Illegal To Serve Perfume As Liquor

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Gayle Bynum Cardosa
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's easy to see how some of these came about. The one from Tennessee, this one and some others. They never came off of the books. Several aren't even silly laws.

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#37

In Vermont It Is Illegal To Use Colored Margarine In Restaurants Unless The Menu Indicates You Do

In Vermont It Is Illegal To Use Colored Margarine In Restaurants Unless The Menu Indicates You Do

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Aunt Messy
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Margarine is white. There was a time when restaurants and grocery stores would add yellow food colouring to it and sell it - for more money - as butter. The smarter ones would mix in a little real butter to make the fraud more convincing. When I was a kid, it was illegal to sell yellow tinted margarine in grocery stores, the manufacturers would include a little packet of powdered dye for tinting at home. In some places (I think Ontario still does this), margarine can be tinted, but it's a specific colour of yellow that cannot be mistaken for butter. ... NOT a "stupid" law at all.

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#38

In New Mexico Defacing Rocks Is A Crime

In New Mexico Defacing Rocks Is A Crime

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Gayle Bynum Cardosa
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not stupid at all. Inscription Rock anyone??? There are historical rocks everywhere in the desert. The law was put there to preserve historical native american sites and places like Inscription Rock. I get the "humor" part here but....ah, whatever. I guess every state has several silly laws. I don't know if the artist here knew (probably). It's a cool photo anyway.

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#39

In Alaska No Person May Drive A Vehicle When There Are Three People In The Front Seat

In Alaska No Person May Drive A Vehicle When There Are Three People In The Front Seat

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#40

In Mississippi Sesame Street Was Once Banned From Pbs.

In Mississippi Sesame Street Was Once Banned From Pbs.

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Wanda Queen
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH MY GOD THERE'S BROWN PEOPLE ON THAT THAR MAGICAL TV BOX!!!

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