10 Forgotten Laws Still Technically on the Books

Laws are meant to provide order and structure to society, but over time, some statutes outlive their relevance. While many outdated laws are repealed or forgotten, others remain technically enforceable, lying dormant in legal archives. From quirky restrictions on behavior to hyper-specific regulations tied to bygone eras, these forgotten laws offer a fascinating glimpse into the priorities of past societies.

Here are 10 bizarre and obsolete laws that are still technically on the books today.

Related: 10 Ludicrous Laws from the Middle Ages That We Still Break Today

10 No Ice Cream Cones in Your Back Pocket (Alabama)

In Alabama, it is illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket, a law that stems from an old workaround for horse theft in the 19th century. The idea was that placing an ice cream cone in one’s back pocket would entice a horse to follow its owner, allowing the thief to “claim” the horse as their own without technically stealing it. This loophole worked because the thief wouldn’t be physically leading or riding the horse, making it difficult to charge them with theft under the law at the time.

While this law may seem nonsensical in the modern era, it highlights how legislation was often tailored to address very specific societal issues of the time. Horses were crucial to transportation and work, and theft posed significant economic hardships for their owners. Despite horses no longer being the primary mode of transportation, the law remains on the books in Alabama. However, it is virtually impossible to enforce in today’s context.^[1]

9 It’s Illegal to Die in Parliament (United Kingdom)

This peculiar British law, which supposedly forbids dying within the walls of Parliament, has gained a reputation as one of the strangest legal myths. The origin of this law ties back to the fact that Parliament buildings are considered royal property. Historically, any individual who died on royal grounds was entitled to a state funeral, creating significant logistical and financial complications.

Though widely cited, legal scholars debate whether this law actually exists in writing or if it is more of an urban legend. The mere suggestion of such a law, however, has sparked bizarre incidents. For example, some tour guides at Westminster Abbey humorously caution elderly or ill visitors to “hold on” until they leave the premises. Regardless of its authenticity, the idea has endured as one of the most infamous examples of quirky governance in British legal lore.^[2]

8 Don’t Use Confetti in Mobile, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama, known for hosting one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the U.S., has a law banning the use of confetti during festivities. This rule was introduced in the early 20th century to address the environmental and cleanup issues posed by large amounts of litter after parades. Confetti, being small and difficult to sweep up, posed a unique challenge for city workers tasked with restoring order to the streets after celebrations.

Interestingly, Mobile encourages the use of alternative celebratory items like beads, streamers, and masks, which are more easily collectible. The confetti ban is rarely enforced today, but violators can technically face fines if caught. The law has gained notoriety among Mardi Gras participants as an odd quirk of the city’s festive culture, making Mobile one of the few places where tiny paper decorations are considered a legal concern.^[3]

7 It’s Illegal to Sell Your Eye (Texas)

In Texas, it is illegal to sell your eyeballs—a law rooted in broader legislation prohibiting the sale of human organs. Enacted to prevent organ trafficking and ensure ethical medical practices, this law specifically mentions “eyeballs,” perhaps to address cases of black-market organ sales or exploitative practices involving human tissue. The law forms part of a broader framework introduced by the National Organ Transplant Act in 1984, which established strict rules against profiting from organ sales.

While the inclusion of “eyeballs” might seem oddly specific, it highlights lawmakers’ efforts to cover all potential scenarios. This law underscores a serious issue in medical ethics. Still, it has since become a source of fascination and humor for those who stumble across it in legal archives. Today, the notion of anyone attempting to sell their eyeballs is laughable, yet the law remains enforceable.^[4]

6 No Hunting Camels (Arizona)

Arizona’s camel-hunting ban has its roots in an unusual military experiment conducted in the mid-19th century. In the 1850s, the U.S. Army’s Camel Corps was established to test the use of camels for transportation in the arid southwestern deserts. Camels were imported from the Middle East and North Africa and proved to be well-suited to the harsh conditions of the region. However, the outbreak of the Civil War and shifting military priorities led to the abandonment of the project, and the camels were either sold off or released into the wild.

For decades, wild camels roamed the deserts of Arizona and neighboring states, giving rise to the legendary “Red Ghost,” a feral camel rumored to carry a headless rider. To protect the dwindling camel population, hunting them was outlawed, even though the animals were not native to the region. Today, no wild camels remain in Arizona. Still, the law remains a fascinating reminder of a forgotten chapter in American history.^[5]

5 Don’t Wear High Heels in Carmel, California

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, a peculiar law requires individuals to obtain a permit if they wish to wear high heels over 2 inches (5 cm) tall with a base less than one square inch (6.5 sq cm). Enacted in the 1920s, this regulation was intended to protect the city from lawsuits stemming from injuries caused by its irregular, uneven cobblestone streets. The rule served as a legal safeguard against potential liability claims, as Carmel’s charming but unpredictable infrastructure posed tripping hazards to residents and tourists alike.

Permits to wear high heels are still issued today, but the process is more of a quirky formality than an actively enforced requirement. Locals and tourists often treat it as a humorous souvenir rather than a necessity. Carmel’s residents, including former mayor Clint Eastwood, have embraced the law as part of the city’s unique personality, making it an odd yet memorable footnote in the town’s history.^[6]

4 It’s Illegal to Send Surprise Pizzas (Louisiana)

In Louisiana, a law prohibits sending unsolicited pizzas to someone’s home without their consent. This oddly specific legislation was created to address a real nuisance that arose before the advent of digital ordering systems. In the 1980s and 1990s, pranksters frequently placed pizza orders under false names or for unsuspecting recipients, leaving the delivery person stuck with an unpaid order. The law was meant to curb these prank deliveries and protect small businesses from unnecessary financial losses.

While technology has largely rendered such pranks obsolete—most pizza orders now require prepayment—the law remains on the books. Its existence highlights how even minor inconveniences can lead to legal action, reflecting the evolving relationship between consumers and businesses in the pre-digital era. The surprising specificity of this law has made it a favorite topic among legal trivia enthusiasts.^[7]

3 Don’t Whistle Underwater (Vermont)

One of Vermont’s strangest laws prohibits individuals from whistling underwater. While it’s unclear how this law originated, many believe it was never intended as a serious statute but rather introduced as a joke or placeholder text in local legal codes. Over time, however, the law was never repealed, leaving it as a curious oddity in Vermont’s legislative history.

Interestingly, whistling underwater is practically impossible, which has led many to question why such a law would have been considered necessary in the first place. Despite its absurdity, the rule highlights how even humorous or unintended legal texts can persist for decades. Whether it was a deliberate attempt at levity or a bureaucratic error, it remains a memorable example of the quirks of state governance.^[8]

2 No Dueling Allowed (Kentucky)

Kentucky requires public officials to swear an oath that they have never participated in a duel, a rule dating back to the 19th century when dueling was a common way to settle disputes among gentlemen. The practice was seen as honorable at the time but often led to fatalities, prompting lawmakers to discourage dueling by attaching consequences to it. By barring duel participants from holding office, the law sought to curb this violent custom and promote civility among political leaders.

While dueling has long since faded into history, the law remains part of Kentucky’s oath of office. Politicians are still required to affirm their non-participation in dueling, making it one of the most peculiar relics of a bygone era. This oath serves as a historical reminder of how deeply ingrained dueling once was in American culture and how the government sought to legislate against it.^[9]

1 No Using Nuclear Weapons Within City Limits (California)

In the city of Chico, California, it is technically illegal to detonate a nuclear weapon within city limits. This peculiar law, enacted during the height of Cold War fears, was intended as a symbolic gesture against nuclear war rather than a practical statute. The ordinance imposes a hefty fine of $500 for any violator. However, enforcing such a law would obviously be moot in the catastrophic event of a nuclear detonation.

The law reflects the anxiety of the nuclear age when small towns across the United States grappled with the looming threat of atomic war. While clearly impractical, the statute highlights how even local governments sought ways to make a statement against the escalating arms race. It remains on the books today, a quirky yet sobering reminder of an era when nuclear annihilation felt like a constant possibility.^[10]