Let’s talk about odd laws still on the books in Texas some of which should have been removed long ago. Did you know that one must acknowledge a supreme being before able to hold public office, or how about it is illegal to sell one’s eye, or that a program has been created in the state of Texas that attempts to control the weather. How about this one-when two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone. How about it is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time, while standing. Here is a great one it is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second floor of a hotel. Does this mean you can shoot one from the first, third or even fifth floor. Here is a better one then the buffalo-it is illegal to milk another person’s cow. Now this one takes the price for being not only stupid but unheard of: A recently passed anti-crime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed. Here is a funny one; the entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home. Crazy
City laws in Texas which are considered dumb: In Abilene: It is illegal to idle or loiter anyplace within the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of flirting or mashing. (Now what is the purpose of this law?) In Austin: Wire cutters can not be carried in your pocket. The explanation of this law was simply; in the days of the old “wild west” cowboys would cut barbed wire fences of property owners in order to allow their cattle herds to pass through. To prevent such acts, an ordinance was passed. In Beaumont: Collegiate football was banned at Lamar University. In Clarendon: It is illegal to dust any public building with a feather duster. (Why who knows) In El Paso: It is illegal to urinate on the streets and last but not least is appearing in public places wearing a “lewd dress” is prohibited.
Now I’m not sure but if other states have laws which are like these then no wonder our judicial system needs lots and lots of work-getting some of these laws off the books would be an improvement. These laws are cute but they do need a lot of work. Hope you enjoyed the laws as much as I enjoyed doing the research on them.