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Did you ever stop and think that laws are made for people to follow, but most of us haven't actually read them? What is more, there is a whole profession dedicated to explaining laws and in order to become a lawyer, a judge, or a specialist in that field, you have to study it for several years. So it's no wonder that there are laws in our home country law systems that would surprise us.

Maybe Reddit user Krallorddark had a similar thought, because they asked, "What is illegal but most people don't even know it?" In less than 24 hours, the thread got over 50k upvotes and over 20k comments. People shared some really weird laws and some laws that actually make sense, but somehow people don't know about them.

What would you answer to Krallorddark's question? Leave it in the comments and don't forget to upvote the laws shared by people that surprised you the most!

More info: Reddit

#1

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In Nevada there's an old law still on the books where a property owner may hang an individual who shoots a dog on their property.

Also you can't take your camel out on state highways.

rowrin , Ronoli Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU CANT TAKE YOUR CAMEL OUT ON STATE HIGHWAYS?! I bet that gives a lot of people the hump!

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#2

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Tickling someone without their consent is a form of assault. But yeah

tundrabuddies , Erik Przekop Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You shouldnt be doing it to strangers, Id hit someone for doing that to me

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#3

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Yesterday I learned that riding a bike while drunk is just as illegal as drunk driving, just not regularly enforced

berna102 , Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious Report

#4

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In my country suicide is considered a felony.

Its to allow first responders more ways to act. Like so a policeofficer can kick down a door or hospitals can force a short period of observation on a sucidal person, never any jailtime involved.

justalittleprickly , 28704869 Report

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Emma Byrne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you consider involuntary section "not jail time" you are wrong. In the UK, at least, you are held in a police cell for up to 72 hours depending on the availability of a psychiatrist.

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#5

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Under a 1940s anti-poaching law, not only is possessing or selling a bald eagle illegal ... possessing any part of a bald eagle, including their feathers, is illegal.

Find a bald eagle feather while hiking? Technically, picking that thing up and sticking it in your pocket means a $250,000 fine.

Edit: As has been pointed out to me repeatedly, if you belong to a native American tribe that is enrolled in a federal program that exempts you from the above.

badass_panda , USFWS Midwest Region Report

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#6

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In Alaska it's illegal to whisper in someone's ear while they deer hunt.

FestusPowerLoL , U.S. Geological Survey Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This law is an ass! How does anyone know if someone is whispering in some ones ear? And if so, what is wrong with that?

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#7

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Washing oil paint down the sink. It can contaminate drinking water.

graypumpkins , Lia Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a painting and decorating tutor this is true. It has to be properly exposed of by taking it to the recycling center or passing it on as donations. This is also the same with white spirits/terps. If you are disposing spirits/terps always put it in a tightly sealed container and write the contents on the out side of it.

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#8

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Scottish here, it's a legal requirement to let a stranger use your toilet if he or she asks.

So if some random drunk comes to your door at stupid o'clock in the morning choking for a s***e, you better be letting them in

spudllet , Nate Vack Report

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#9

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It One of my friends studied abroad in the UK (from the US) and didn't realize pepper spray is illegal there until a British student told her. Most female students at our university in the US carry it everywhere so it didn't even occur to her it would be illegal. No clue how she got through the airport with it in the first place but luckily she was able to dispose of it without getting in trouble

Basic_Leek_9086 , Tony Webster Report

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sturmwesen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been told to declare it is an animal repellent and not for muggers/rapists and you are fine. (Germany)

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#10

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Walking down the street with an ice cream cone in your back pocket in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Apparently, there was a law that if a horse was on your property, you could claim it as your own. In comes the ice cream cone as a lure for the horse as you lead them to your property.....

twoshoesframpton , Aasim Ahmed Report

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#11

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Also, no joke, it is illegal to kill to Bigfoot, if spotted, in America

wuau_zhang , Bob Doran Report

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Henry Kuchner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. I’m gonna find Bigfoot. Not kill it, but not give it to the authorities. Is that illegal?

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#13

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In a few states in the US there are laws on the books barring atheists from holding public office.

Granted these fit into the "exist but don't really get enforced" category, but they exist nonetheless.

TehAsianator , Gloria Manna Report

#14

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Just because you have your turn signals on dosen't mean that the you have the right to merge. If the lane isn't clear you are the one breaking the law.

goju8019 , dennis crowley Report

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Karen Langley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if you close up and don't let people merge, you may be legally right but you're an asshole.

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#15

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Driving consistently slower than the speed limit, without legitimate reason to do so (like road conditions or a vehicle problem). In fact, in some states, it is more points on your license than speeding.

dodexahedron , zolakoma Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you cant drive normal than you have to stay home or take the bus

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#16

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Stepping into a public fountain. Yes, Joey, Chandler, Ross, Pheobe, Rachel and Monica, I’m talking to you. Guess I’ll be there for you … in jail.

eve_naive , NH53 Report

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#17

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In Florida its illegal to tie an alligator to a parking meter unless you pay for parking

Edit- Apparently it was passed for elephants because of discrimination against circus workers according to u/Carrotcake1988 and u/DaveTheNotecard

JrBeelzebub , Storyful Rights Management Report

#18

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In the US giving any federal employee, especially postal workers, any gift in an amount over $20 each and no greater than $50 in a year. I believe the government wanted to try to ban any gifts, but people were so attached to their postal workers and wanted to give them something so they did relent, with those strict guidelines above.

llcucf80 , George Redgrave Report

#19

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It License plate covers. I saw one yesterday that was tinted and you literally couldn’t read the plate even in broad daylight. But even clear ones are illegal (in Ohio anyway)

spider-borg , abc7 News Report

#20

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It It’s illegal to die in the House of Parliament

_____wanker_____ , Michael D Beckwith Report

#21

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It The Salmon Act 1986 is an act of Parliament which outlines the difference between legal and illegal salmon fishery, among other things. The Act also makes it illegal to "handle salmon in suspicious circumstances"

Kusteron3 , Peber the Swede Report

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Emma Byrne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Dad was a poacher (we grew up really poor) rabbit and pheasant were treats when I was growing up. He never went after salmon, trout yes, salmon no.

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#22

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Carrying a permanent marker or other permanent-staining stationary is illegal in many countries under graffiti laws.

DoAFlip22 , Ben Chun Report

#23

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Apparently hunting whales with a harpoon from your airplane in arkansas (this is legit)

AKSchmitler , Navin75 Report

#24

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It The failure to spend 2 hours a week practicing with a longbow.

This law was setup in the middle ages and it required ever male over the age of 14 to practice with a longbow every week.

The laws still in place but has been massively overlooked and forgotten.

WildWolfman378 , Hans Splinter Report

#25

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Profiting from the photographs of Eiffel Tower taken at night.

your-playboy , Pedro Szekely Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NO WAY! Is it some kind of copy writing or something? How are they going to know if it is taken at night, printed on canvas and sold in other countries?

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#26

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In my home state of Tennessee, it's illegal to use a lasso to catch fish.

TwiceInEveryMoment , M&R Glasgow Report

#27

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Happy hours are illegal in Massachusetts

personofinterest18 , Steven Miller Report

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#28

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It You can give a friend or family member a lift for free, but if they have paid you, even fuel costs, then you are now an unlicensed taxi.

reditm8 , Alper Çuğun Report

#29

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Importing Kinder Surprise eggs to the US from your trip abroad. You won't go to jail, but if you are unlucky and the customs agent is not very lenient you can face a fine for every egg you tried to smuggle in.

According to some sources the fine per egg could go up to $2500, but I couldn't find a case where someone was actually fined that much. The most I could find in my 5 minute research was a Canadian woman who got fined $300 (Canadian) for trying to bring in one egg. I guess in most cases the customs agents will just confiscate the eggs and give you a warning.

TheBassMeister , Derek Key Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans cant handle NOT eating the yellow capsule inside the chocolate.

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#30

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It having stuff hanging from your rear view mirror.

shuttermayfire , Tony Alter Report

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Jessica Nametz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one I actually knew. It's a distraction and obstructs the field of view...

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#31

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It There is a long list of over the counter medication you can legally purchase, but cannot take it into another country.

cisco54 , Free photo on UkrMedia Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In supermarkets you are limited to 3 boxes of painkillers per person per transaction in the UK. There is nothing stopping you buying 20 boxes but in separate transactions.

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#32

In my state (CT) it's illegal to sell pickles that don't bounce.

MattyRixz Report

#33

Changing your own light bulbs; in Australia, the law says you must hire a licensed electrician to do it.

AussieSkittles81 Report

#34

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It You have to know how to play an accordion in North Korea to be able to teach.

Deadshot37 , Michael Neel Report

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V 2000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

to be fair "you have to know" to be able to teach (anywhere else too), or you will look like a fool ... i mean...

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Neil Bidle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like most things are impossible to teach if you don't know how to do them yourself, but especially musical instruments?

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Sonja
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is not a law, but considered as a condition to study for to become a teacher. I think in our country, if you want to study pedagogy, you should play at least 1 instrument.

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Randy Klefbeck
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My theatre friend used to have a bumper sticker....."Play an accordion, go to jail."

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Xan Maranya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now it's you have to know how to play an accordion to get enough food to eat.

edougherty582_1 avatar
Capelli rosa e patate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So to brainwash children and teach them killing you need to play the accordion...the logic of this place. (And the poor people who live there 😞)

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Marilyn Holt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

North Korrea??? I guess they have a lot of weird laws depending on the day, time, and the deal leader's mood.

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Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is in fact very true and the first thing children start to learn . It’s more important that English or maths .

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Seule Forever
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine that : Student : are you qualified to be our math teacher? Teacher : Yes. I have a degree in Mathematics and I've take three years of accordion classes.

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dido74
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s not true … had a friend who taught in No Korea and believe me … she doesn’t know how to play an accordion!

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Sean Murphy Garabedian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really funny but to clarify this is no longer a law. It was around at one point though which is crazy.

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Porch Santa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankfully not a concern of mine to learn accordion or teach

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#35

Chico, CA, it's a $500 fine to make or have a nuclear weapon within city limits

"No person shall produce, test, maintain, or store within the city a nuclear weapon, component of a nuclear weapon, nuclear weapon delivery system, or component of a nuclear weapon delivery system under penalty of Chapter 9.60.030 of the Chico Municipal Code."

breals Report

#36

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Lemonade stands

personofinterest18 , amy gizienski Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You cant sell food to other people with out safe food handling, need a permit. Typhoid Mary caused a lot of death and damage from being immune to what she had and was a carrier not washing her hands.

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#37

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It In Texas, there is still a law on the books that it is a crime to carry bolt cutters around. It is a leftover from the days of cattle rustlers, when the bad guys would use bolt cutters to take down barbed wire fencing. Pretty sure it hasn't been prosecuted in a hundred years.

ComicLawyer , Lenore Edman Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you see someone riding around with bolt cutters its automatically for theft. You dont need those unless your in a Trade on a job site

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#38

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It You can go to Lowes and buy weed-killer off the shelf and use it on your property. You can use it on your parent's property. If you use it on your neighbor's property and he gives you $20, that's a felony.

Edit: Treating according to label instructions for friends and family without compensation does not qualify as a business activity most places. If you do this and receive compensation, then you're conducting business and under the law you should have a commercial applicator's licence. This is mostly an example of a badly- written law that is too open- ended. I don't know anyone who has got in any real legal trouble over an unlicensed jug of roundup, but they could.

I3uckethead , Mike Mozart Report

#39

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It Having a lobster of a certain size in your possession.

carlesswhifperer , Rex Sorgatz Report

#40

People In This Online Group Shared 40 Things That Are Illegal But Most People Don’t Even Know It California Law stating that it is illegal to wash your neighbor’s car without their permission.

Also, in San Francisco and Long Beach here you cannot store anything other than an automobile in your garage.

Edit: This is no longer a law/ordinance in Long Beach anymore.

The SF one is for commercial structures only, but at one point it definitely was illegal to use your garage as anything other than a parking spot for your car. People could do stuff like rent out their garage, tax free.

OzonePass , SYA Extreme Report

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RandomBeing
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes sense that u shouldn't mess with peoples stuff without their permission.

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Note: this post originally had 44 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.