Really We NEED a Law for that???
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
Grand Junction, Colorado
October 24, 2011 4:46pm CST
So I was responding to a discussion and was talking about banking regulations and it got me to thinking about laws and how stupid some of them seem to me.
One of the stupidest laws that I can think of in recent years is the no smoking in your car with a minor in the vehicle with you. 
I mean really people do you really need a law in place to not smoke around your 6 month old infant??? Because if you do, then the bigger law should be not letting stupid people breed!
We have laws here in my state about burning in your fireplace. Really, on certain days in certain areas you can't burn in your fireplace to heat your home.
I recently read that Washington D.C., was arresting people for expired registration on a vehicle, in one case the registration was expired by less than 30 days, if I remember correctly it was like 2 weeks. Really, jail time? I know it's against the law, but does expired registration really warrant jail time? How much do we spend of tax payer money to arrest these people? I'm sure the money would be better spent say focusing on maybe red light runners. Since getting national attention I believe is on hold or suspended for now.
I have no idea if the 2 laws I mentioned about California are enforced, since I don't know anyone that has received a ticket for either. I know a great number of people with fireplaces, none have received a ticket or a citation. While I know lots of smokers, none smoke in the vehicle with children present, to my knowledge.
So I looked up a few in different counties around my state here are just a few:
Los Angeles (City)
1)It is illegal for a man to beat his wife with a strap wider than 2 inches without her consent.
2) You cannot bathe 2 babies in the same tub at the same time.
3) It is illegal to cry on the witness stand.
Prunedale
Two bath tubs may not be installed in the same house.
San Francisco
Persons classified as "ugly" may not walk down the street.
Walnut
Children may not wear a Halloween mask unless they get a special permit from the sheriff.
I know that different states have similar stupid laws but just wondering do they enforce them? Do you have laws where you live that you think could be a waste of tax payer money?
Here is a link. You can click on your state and scroll through to see how stupid some are. Come back and share.
http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/california?page=0
I mean really people do you really need a law in place to not smoke around your 6 month old infant??? Because if you do, then the bigger law should be not letting stupid people breed!
We have laws here in my state about burning in your fireplace. Really, on certain days in certain areas you can't burn in your fireplace to heat your home.
I recently read that Washington D.C., was arresting people for expired registration on a vehicle, in one case the registration was expired by less than 30 days, if I remember correctly it was like 2 weeks. Really, jail time? I know it's against the law, but does expired registration really warrant jail time? How much do we spend of tax payer money to arrest these people? I'm sure the money would be better spent say focusing on maybe red light runners. Since getting national attention I believe is on hold or suspended for now.
I have no idea if the 2 laws I mentioned about California are enforced, since I don't know anyone that has received a ticket for either. I know a great number of people with fireplaces, none have received a ticket or a citation. While I know lots of smokers, none smoke in the vehicle with children present, to my knowledge.
So I looked up a few in different counties around my state here are just a few:
Los Angeles (City)
1)It is illegal for a man to beat his wife with a strap wider than 2 inches without her consent.
2) You cannot bathe 2 babies in the same tub at the same time.
3) It is illegal to cry on the witness stand.
Prunedale
Two bath tubs may not be installed in the same house.
San Francisco
Persons classified as "ugly" may not walk down the street.
Walnut
Children may not wear a Halloween mask unless they get a special permit from the sheriff.
I know that different states have similar stupid laws but just wondering do they enforce them? Do you have laws where you live that you think could be a waste of tax payer money?
Here is a link. You can click on your state and scroll through to see how stupid some are. Come back and share.
http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/california?page=09 people like this
19 responses
@jjzone44 (917)
• United States
24 Oct 11
Actually in the US we had laws concerning people breeding http://bit.ly/4BiCXv
That link points to an article about eugenics.
Unfortunately we need laws, because the common sense required, like not to smoke in a confined environment with your 6 month old, is lacking in quite a few people. Probably the same mentality that smokes by their oxygen cylinders and blows up their house.
I have read about these outdated ridiculous laws before. I think every state has them to one extent or the other, but usually they are not enforced. Can you imagine the debate, and waste of money it would take, to get the legislative bodies of each state to review and remove them?
I would take what I read about the arrests in DC with a modicum of suspicion. A person can report on what they observe, and not necessarily be lying, but only telling part of the truth. Most people are not arrested and taken into custody for simple moving violations, like expired tags. However if when they run that person, and they have a warrant, or have been stopped for this before, they can be detained. The complaint required for arrest would only be public after the complaint has been filed. The information required for the full story, may not be available at the time of the writing.
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
24 Oct 11
That is a very interesting article, I knew that sterilization had been used on criminals and on people in institutions many, many years ago but had no idea that is was going on in to the 1970's, and today.
It's sad that we have to have these such laws in affect. People who smoke by the oxygen tanks in their homes, I don't even know what to say to that.
I do agree that sometimes stories don't have all the facts before going on air or to print, but this one seemed to have a number of facts. I have attached the article http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/05/tourists-beware-dc-cops-throw-drivers-in-jail-for-expired-tags-aaa-cries-foul/
while one of the people in the story it has happened to before the others it didn't appear to have. Since it made national news many people are working to get it amended.
You can read this article to see why this was made a law in the first place http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/2011/10/drivers-appeal-halt-dc-expired-tags-arrests
Of course it's up to the officer to his discretion on whether to arrest or issue a citation, so no idea how these people responded when pulled over and maybe that prompted the arrest. Just seems like a waste, as I agree that just because someone is riding around on expired registration that they are going to commit a crime or they are preventing a crime from happening. Seems to me that those that drive through red lights, or speeding or even talking on the cell phone should be arrested before expired registration, those other offenses that I mentioned could cause serious harm, expired registration isn't going to hurt someone. Just my take on the situation.
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
I like the analogy that you use with the kids. I agree the the punishment needs to fit the crime.
People are not considered innocent before proven guilty In most cases. Not when you wait in jail for months before trial.
I can't believe how stupid some people can be. Why not light up next to a propane tank?
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Oct 11
It does seem crazy doesn't it? But, obviously, the seriousness of these are made plain by the laws. People are obviously not taking registering their cars serious and laws have to be put into place that if they don't they are jailed. And the law about fires in the fireplace must be because the air quality is so bad they can't let people have the fires. There is a reason for the laws. Some sure seem silly though don't they?
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
24 Oct 11
In regards to the fireplaces not sure on the air quality but your probably correct, although poor air quality is high in the summer here and not so much in the winter months which is when one would typically burn in the fireplace. 
I think that it is absurd to jail someone for expired registration with no other violations or criminal background. I was late with my registration earlier this year by 10 days, for simply forgetting to pay it. Now under the new law I wouldn't have gone to jail until it was 30 days late, but the original law was if it expired there was no grace period at all.( I also don't live in D.C.) When you look at other bills that you can be late, you don't go to jail for being behind in a mortgage payment, you simply have your credit score affected by it. Since registration has nothing to do with your driving ability I don't see the law fitting the crime. Now an expired driver's license that would be a different story, that is issued to you because of your ability to drive, or at least to pass the test. This of course is just my 2 cents worth!
Some are beyond silly, on the list I saw one I think for S.F. about not being able to walk your elephant down the street if it wasn't on a leash. Now how many elephants have you seen walking down the street whether on a leash or not. To funny.
I think that it is absurd to jail someone for expired registration with no other violations or criminal background. I was late with my registration earlier this year by 10 days, for simply forgetting to pay it. Now under the new law I wouldn't have gone to jail until it was 30 days late, but the original law was if it expired there was no grace period at all.( I also don't live in D.C.) When you look at other bills that you can be late, you don't go to jail for being behind in a mortgage payment, you simply have your credit score affected by it. Since registration has nothing to do with your driving ability I don't see the law fitting the crime. Now an expired driver's license that would be a different story, that is issued to you because of your ability to drive, or at least to pass the test. This of course is just my 2 cents worth!
Some are beyond silly, on the list I saw one I think for S.F. about not being able to walk your elephant down the street if it wasn't on a leash. Now how many elephants have you seen walking down the street whether on a leash or not. To funny.2 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
I hope I don't come across as being argumentative here but I have to disagree. I think of my vehicle registration as a bill when it comes in, if I only had money to pay my mortgage/rent or my vehicle registration then I would pay the first, its more important that I have a place to live. That's not to say that I might not drive said vehicle with the expired registration temporarily. So in my opinion the non payment or being late on mortgage/rent would be a worse offense than registration. People who don't think a roof over their head is the most important thing I would think would be more apt to do other things. This of course is my opinion and again not meaning to be argumentative.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Oct 11
On the expired registration, yes, it is obsurd but how else do they have of people doing what they need to do? Morgage payments are a totally different thing. If people don't register their cars they are more apt NOT to do other things too. SOme of those old laws are just down right silly. Must have been some reason for them back then but not now and never changed.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
25 Oct 11
In Quebec, all business signs have to be in French. And in Canada, 35 % of Canadian radios must be Canadian content. Oh and here is an u necessary law, you cannot water your lawn while it is raining. That latter one is broken with great frequency.
Oh and in Manitoba, we have the do not drive while talking on a cell phone. I do not think anyone could do that and hold onto the wheel at the same time. There was another law about not lighting fires in your backyard. But that is broken by my friends who have a brick fireplace in their back yard.
So some of those laws do not make sense.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
26 Oct 11
That is what happens here. Too bad they cannot be turned off when it is raining.
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
27 Oct 11
I think it's because most people are to lazy to change it for that one day, or a few days here and there. Would rather just let it go. Could be it's to complicated to change or could have rained unexpectedly. If your forecasters are like ours here they can't predict when it's going to rain. A 20% chance to me is it's no going to rain and then when it does I'm shocked. Especially when the weather person has said I'm putting in 20% chance, but it's highly unlikely we will see an significant rain out of this. Then it rains steadily for hours. If I had sprinklers I wouldn't have thought to change my programming.
Maybe someone should invent sprinklers that have a sensitivity to rain and shut off on their own.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
Watering the lawn when it's raining, I see that all the time due to automatic sprinklers.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
25 Oct 11
Egads, I had no idea that crying on the witness stand was illegal in LA. As for the San Francisco edict about ugly people, I can say from first hand experience that is not enforced. I have seen some really ugly people on the streets there. I do not care about what people look like, as beauty is only skin deep, but if they are mugging someone on the street they are automatically ugly.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
Just wondering what the circumstances are to be classified as ugly?
I too have been to San Francisco and seen some pretty scary people.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
25 Oct 11
Oh, cool! What an awesome discussion!!!
I'm in Virginia. In the County of Culpeper, no one may wash a mule on the sidewalk.
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I don't live in Culpeper!
There are more but it's late and I need to get to sleep so I'll get back to this discussion tomorrow because I not only want to post more but I also want to read some of the others posted.
I do remember reading one about some state in the mid-west where it is illegal to walk your camel after 6 p.m. or something like that. I'd like to know how many camels are roaming around THAT place! I wonder what the law says about RIDING your camel after 6 p.m. Hmmm....
There are more but it's late and I need to get to sleep so I'll get back to this discussion tomorrow because I not only want to post more but I also want to read some of the others posted.
I do remember reading one about some state in the mid-west where it is illegal to walk your camel after 6 p.m. or something like that. I'd like to know how many camels are roaming around THAT place! I wonder what the law says about RIDING your camel after 6 p.m. Hmmm....@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
Why thank you for the compliment.
Lovely state I loved in VA from the time I was six until thirteen.
Here are a couple of weird laws for the city of Los Angeles:
You may not hunt moths under a street light.
Toads may not be licked.
Here's my favorite in Norco, CA:
All persons wishing to keep a rhinoceros as a pet must obtain a $100 license first.
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
25 Oct 11
Now that is some of the most funkiest laws i have ever heard off.
The laws we have here don't mean much as we tend to ignore or break them.
I cannot really think of one to share right now.
Just wait till i break one, then i'll let you know how stupid it really is sweetie.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
Well I think that most people ignore some of these or better yet don't even realize their existence.
Please don't go getting into trouble just to come back and share. 
Now, where is the fun in that sweetie?
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
26 Oct 11
Its all about the great "God" MONEY!
Here's one of Austin's dumb laws (and yes I knew it existed)
"Wire cutters can not be carried in your pocket."
Here's one for Harker Heights...
"No person may disturb a church service by swearing." I find this one strange since when I went to college in Killeen, you had to drive to Harker Heights to get booze...
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
27 Oct 11
I can somewhat get the wire cutters one as if you had them on you, you could be up to no good going around cutting into fences and such. Like going to your storage unit, you can't carry bolt cutters into a storage facility its against the law, even if your keys were lost and you were going to cut your lock off. It has to be done by the storage unit manager.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
25 Oct 11
There are alot that are totally stupid....but then look what's sitting in the seats making these decisions..not to say they are stupid....but to even have to bring some of this stuff up is a crime in itself. I don't know what dumb laws we have here....but I have heard of some that just about make me give up! LOL
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
27 Oct 11
I will say it for you then, "The politicians are stupid and needed to be voted out."
@savypat (20216)
• United States
25 Oct 11
I think some of these laws started out with good intent but over the years have just become stupid. The one you mentioned about fire places is in effect here, we live in an area where the inversion layer is so bad that on certian days if everyone lite their fire places no one could go outdoors, you not only couldn't breath but it is hard to see. Special relief from this law is given to those who only have a fireplace for heat.
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
I'm not sure if special relief from this law is in place for those with only a fireplace or wood burning stove, seems to me when the law first came out no relief was given. I remember hearing about a lot of complaints. Will have to check and see what I can find. Doesn't affect me as I don't have a fireplace.
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
27 Oct 11
But by who's definition? 
Yours? Mine? The other people on the street? I can't even imagine why this law was made or how you would define it.
@free_man (7330)
• United States
26 Oct 11
It says in the bible in the end times that our supposed to be leaders will have the minds of babes. You think this falls under that? I think we are being led by people that are not using their minds in the right way by all these laws that you listed just confirmed my suspicions.....LOL
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
27 Oct 11
Well some laws have been on the books since laws were started, depending on what part of the country your in could be hundreds of years. So I don't think that some of these laws fall under the end of times, depending on how you look at how long the end of times are? I think of the end being short, so only a few years. Now whether we are in the end of times we will have to wait and see.
1 person likes this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
28 Oct 11
If you read the bible it says that things like this will happen. I listen to the news and see things happening almost daily that is written in the bible. The teacher of Gods word that I listen to has taught me so much and we are in the 5th trump.
http://www.shepherdschapel.com/index.htm
This man is a great teacher of Gods word and is time well spent listening to him.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Oct 11
I guess I should consider myself lucky I only got a parking ticket in Los Angeles. We were out of town, celebrating our 47th Anniverary, and stopped to eat lunch in a shopping center restaurant. When we came back we had a parking ticket. I was shocked because I appeared to be legally parked. A closer look said it was because my registration sticker was missing. Had I been stopped, I could have shown the officer my registration in the car. The sticker wasn't on because I couldn't remove the plate holder to put it on without a tool I didn't have. I'd forgotton to have the dealer do it last time I was there and then I forgot about it. I was able to find a friend with the tool and have him put it on and then I was able to go to the Highway Patrol Office and get an officer to sign off on the violation, reducing my fee to $10.00. That's how California handles it. Now it's time for renewal again. I have to remember to get the car smogged so I can renew. It used to be all you had to do was pay the bill. NOw you have to get a smog certificate and proof of insurance before you can even do that.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
25 Oct 11
I was lucky this year I didn't have to smog, but next year of course will be a different story. Now DMV is notified when your insurance lapses electronically. I wonder how many people are driving around with no insurance? That to me would be worse than expired registration. I'm not familiar with needing a special tool for a license plate bracket. Mine just has 4 screws to unscrew and screw back in, actually to put sticker on I only had to unscrew the top two screws, lol.
We do have pretty good fix it tickets here, fix the offense, show proof and the end result is only $10 versus much hire fees.
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
7 May 16
I hope there will be an international or universal law that prohibits every human to wear any thing during summer! That would be stupid but fun!
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
26 Oct 11
Human nature always runs to extremes and usually from one extreme to the exact opposite extreme! So I'm not all that surprised by any of the points or weird laws!
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
28 Oct 11
Here where I live they also got the No burning fireplaces a lot of the time especially in certain conditions unless that is your only source of heat. So this just means the Power companies make more money. Here they have the cameras taking pictures of people going thru stop lights and then sending out tickets which makes more sense than some of the other rules you have posted. What are people really thinking?
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
24 Jun 12
"I know lots of smokers, none smoke in the vehicle with children present, to my knowledge."
Maybe it's because they don't tell you?
Being arrested for expired registration? Really? I can understand about late fees that come with it, but arresting people for it is going too far. Not to mention it's a waste of tax payers money. No wonder the economy is so bad off.
I'll never understand about the fireplace thing. Not when we have burn days for garbage here. Yep, you heard right, we can burn garbage, but just down the road we can't burn wood.
I won't even comment about the ugly thing, other than to say it's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard of. So ridiculous in fact, that I just had to look up stupid laws! LOL
Here are some that I found interesting:
California:
"Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship."
Um, do the animals know that?
"It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale."
So we can't shoot game, but we can shoot a whale?
"Women may not drive in a house coat."
Baldwin Park
"Nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool."
Belvedere
"City Council order reads: “No dog shall be in a public place without its master on a leash."
Blythe
"You are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows."
Burlingame
"It is illegal to spit, except on baseball diamonds."
Carmel
"Women may not wear high heels while in the city limits."
In city limits? Guess whoever came up with that law never lived out in the country! LOL
Thanks for the laugh!
Happy mylotting!
PS I know I'm a bit late, but I just had to respond to this discussion anyway!
"It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale."
So we can't shoot game, but we can shoot a whale?
"Women may not drive in a house coat."
Baldwin Park
"Nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool."
Belvedere
"City Council order reads: “No dog shall be in a public place without its master on a leash."
Blythe
"You are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows."
Burlingame
"It is illegal to spit, except on baseball diamonds."
Carmel
"Women may not wear high heels while in the city limits."
In city limits? Guess whoever came up with that law never lived out in the country! LOL
Thanks for the laugh!
Happy mylotting!
PS I know I'm a bit late, but I just had to respond to this discussion anyway! 
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
31 Oct 11
Hi beani fanatic: After reading the whole discussion I can't believe it how many stupid laws exist. The ones you mentioned for example sound stupid. I mean is it really necessary to regulate these things that are so simple?
In my country people pretend to regulate everything using laws. If something seems to be not working there will always be at least one person trying to pass a new law. We think that laws change everything and if something is not working that's because we need a new law.
Actually, in my opinion, most of the problems in every country could be solved using some common sense and the existing laws.
ALVARO
