Guest Author - Beth Green

Many states still have outdated and unusual laws on the books. There are plenty of these laws that exist in the Midwest. Are these laws still enforced? It's hard to say, but if they aren't, I believe some of them should be.

Here is a list of some of the laws that still exist in Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee.

Kansas

There’s a law that prohibits anyone in a motor boat from shooting a rabbit. You also cannot catch fish with your bare hands.

In Derby, it’s illegal to urinate on the side of a building. I guess you better hope there’s a restroom close by if you need it.

You might be arrested if you spit on a sidewalk in Dodge City. It’s also illegal in Topeka.

It’s against the law to picket a funeral in Overland Park. This one actually makes sense to me, but maybe it's because my father was in the funeral business.

No cherry pie ala mode for you! It’s illegal to sell it on Sunday.

Carrying a concealed bean snapper could land you in jail in Wichita, but it’s ok to carry a concealed weapon.

You can’t carry bees in your hat in Lawrence. Why would you want to?

Musical car horns are illegal in Russell. My fiancé thinks they should be illegal everywhere.

<Iowa

If you visit a bar in Iowa, don’t try to run a tab. It’s illegal.

A mustached man cannot kiss a woman in public.

You cannot charge admission to see a one-armed piano player.

In Cedar Rapids, it’s illegal to read palms.

A man cannot wink at a female they do not know if they are within the Ottumwa city limits. Kind of puts a damper on flirting, doesn’t it?

In Ames, a husband cannot take more than three gulps of beer if he is in bed with his wife.

Kentucky

Citizens of Kentucky are required to bathe at least once a year. I hope they still enforce this law!

A female in a swimsuit cannot be on a highway unless she is accompanied by two uniformed officers; or unless she is carrying a large stick.

A woman cannot buy a hat in Owensboro without her husband’s permission. Most husbands probably agree with this law.

Throwing eggs at a public speaker could get you up to one year in jail.

A person is considered sober until he or she cannot hold on to the ground.

Snakes and other reptiles cannot be used in any type of religious service.

If you have the urge to carry an ice cream cone in your pocket, don’t do it in Kentucky.

Nebraska

A person who sneezes in public could be fined.

It’s illegal to fly a plane drunk. This is a good thing, I think.

In Hastings, hotel owners are required to provide a clean white nightshirt for all their guests. According to an old law, couples may not have sex unless they are wearing the nightshirt.

Barbers are discouraged from eating onions on the job in Waterloo. This should probably be a federal law.

You can’t sell donut holes in Lehigh.

Tennessee

Driving while sleeping is illegal in Tennessee. I think I’ve been behind some of these drivers.

If you run over an animal, it’s legal to scrape it off the road and eat it. Why hunt when you can eat road kill?

Bologna cannot be sold on Sundays. I know some people who think bologna shouldn’t be sold on any day.

In Dyersburg, a woman cannot call a man for a date. I’m not sure if this applies to other forms of communication or not.

You cannot throw a bottle at a tree in Bell Buckle.

You can be hanged if you steal a horse. I would imagine that is a law left over from the 19th century when hanging was used as punishment for outlaws and other criminals.

Missouri

A man must have a permit to shave. Maybe that’s why there are so many men with beards and moustaches.

Several cities and towns in Missouri prohibit more than 4 unrelated females to live together in the same house or else it’s considered a brothel. I attended college in Missouri, and heard that this is why there are no sorority houses in Missouri college towns.

Clotheslines are banned in Columbia, but you can hang clothes over a fence or railing.


Do you know of other strange or unusual laws in the Midwest? Drop me a line and let me know, or post about it in the Midwest USA forum.