Photo by Pete Alexopoulos. Unsplash.

Top 15 Weirdest Laws That only exist in Texas


 

Texas is a state in the South Central region of the United States. It is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population. This beautiful state is also home to some of the strangest laws in America. Many have become outdated and absurd for the modern Texan, yet they’re still active and enforceable.

These laws are nothing short of hilarious and weird. However, be careful not to be found on the wrong side of the law. Let us have a look at the Top 15 Weirdest Laws That only exist in Texas.

1. Permit for Getting Drunk

Photo by Wil Stewart. Unsplash.

It is commonly illegal in some Texas towns to be drunk in public spaces. At least to the degree that you’re a nuisance or a danger to others. However, in some towns, you can allegedly request a permit from the Director of Parks & Recreation to get drunk in a city park. This law is less a situation where someone is requesting permission to get drunk, and more a liquor license request you can make for outdoor events in the city park.

2. It illegal to throw confetti, firecrackers, or whips

Texas forbids the throwing of confetti, rubber balls, and firecrackers in city limits. This law was enacted to ensure that the city is maintained clean at all times. Being a period when there were few city council employees, it was a good idea to ensure that any chances of making the city dirty was limited.

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3. It is illegal to drive within arm’s length of alcohol

Photo by Wil Stewart. Unsplash.

There’s a law in Lubbock stating that it is illegal to drive within arm’s length of alcohol. This was the legislator’s efforts to reduce cases of drunk driving. This law technically applies to alcohol in someone else’s bloodstream. If you’re going to be a designated driver you will need to put your passenger in the back seat.

4. Your horse needs taillights at night

Photo by eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger. Unsplash.

In Texarkana, it’s only legal to ride your horse at night if it has taillights. This was a very wise idea to ensure safety and security. Keep in mind that back in the days the most common form of transportation was riding horses. Cars were an invention yet to come to fruition.

5. Spittoons are required in some public spaces

El Paso has a law that requires  spittoons in church, assembly halls, hotels, banks, stores, train depots, and saloons. Technically, they’re required “of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them,” so even just a single spittoon might do these days. It might me that there were cases of excessive spitting in public which necessitated this law. You can imagine how serious it was that it had to be on the books.

6. You are required to have a permit before walking barefooted

Photo by Lucas Sankey. Unsplash.

In some cities, you’re required to purchase a 5 dollars permit before walking around barefoot. Doing otherwise is a violation of the city’s code governing “sanitation and appearance.” As they say, appearance is everything.

7. You can get married through proclamation

Photo by Anthony Tran. Unsplash.

Texas is a common law marriage state. This means you are considered legally married if the couple makes three public announcements that they’re married. Moreover, a couple can be considered legally married even if the other spouse isn’t present for the ceremony. However, both parties have to be willing participants, unrelated to each other by blood and of the age above 18.

Find out the best restaurants you visit in El Paso, Texas

8. It is illegal to dig into your neighbor’s trash for food

Photo by the blowup. Unsplash.

You ask how weird can it get? This weird. In some towns in Texas where it is illegal to dig into your neighbor’s trash for food (or anything else). You can be charged with property theft, and even trespassing. To be safe avoid checking your neighbor’s trash can.

9. It is illegal to carry wire cutters in your pocket

In Austin, you’re not allowed to carry wire cutters in your pocket. This law came from a time when ranchers disputed over open ranges vs. fencing off their land. Instead of addressing who was right, the law prevented ranchers from cutting each other’s fences by making it illegal to carry wire cutters. Very subtle and smart.

10. It is illegal to own an encyclopedia Britannica

Texas outlawed owning the encyclopedia set because a volume contains the recipe for making beer. The net effect of this information was that may individuals would endeavor to brew alcohol at home. More people drinking means reduced productivity and increased instances of drunk and disorderly conduct.

Are you a coffee lover? Click to find the best places to take coffee in Austin, Texas

11. It is illegal to sell body organs

According to the Texas Penal Code Section 48.02, it’s against the law to sell human organs. It is illegal in Texas to sell your eyes, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin and other organs or tissues. Those found selling their organs will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The sanction on  conviction results in up to a year in jail and/or fines up to 4,000 dollars. This law also pertains to the purchase of organs.

12. It is illegal to milk someone else’s cow

Photo by Ryan Song. Unsplash.

In Texas, it is illegal to milk another person’s cow. The Texas Penal Code states that doing so results in a fine of no more than 10 dollars. The current Texas law makes the act a theft of personal property.

13. If you are planning to commit a crime you have to give a 24 hours notice

Those planning to commit a crime in Texas are required by law to provide their victims with 24 hours written or verbal notice. Reality is for anyone committing a crime, mystery is capital. I don’t expect that they would give this information so easily. However, this law was put on the books in an effort to reduce crime rates in Texas.

14. You cannot shoot a buffalo from the second floor of a hotel

Photo by Zachary Pearson. Unsplash.

At one point in time, it may not have been unusual for buffalo to roam through the streets of town. Nowadays, however, this doesn’t happen often enough for the state to need an ordinance protecting the rights of such buffalo. However, there’s still an active Texas law that prohibits shooting a buffalo from the second floor of a hotel. This law is very specific, apparently allowing the shooting of buffalo from other locations.

Click to see the 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Texas.

15. Kids should not have unusual haircuts

It is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts in Mesquite, TX. While we don’t know if any court would uphold the enforcement of that law, it’s still interesting to note how and when the law governed personal conduct or fashion.

 

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