I was reading and article called Strange But True Laws In Tennessee and it got me thinking about what strange laws there are here in Arizona. After a little research I came up with this list of ten laws that may not be widely known, are a little strange or are just plain interesting.
Hunting Camels is Prohibited: At one time the U.S. Army experimented with camels in the Arizona desert, but the experiment eventually failed. The camels were then set free and are now protected. I have lived in Arzona all my life and I don’t believe I have ever seen a camel running free. Go figure.
It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water: Here in Arizona it is not strange to hit upwards of 120 degrees during the summer. Unfortunately, we also have a large population of homeless people, so the law was formed to help reduce dehydration deaths. Businesses are the ones that are reported and heavily fined the most for not following this law. Convenience stores are the primary businesses who uphold this law.
It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine: Arizona is full of creative and entrepreneurial people. Since it is hard to manufacture real cocaine, people started manufacturing and selling imitation cocaine without letting their clients know it was imitation. There we so many people getting caught and then getting off because the cocaine was imitation, this law was passed. Now you can get busted even if you state that you did not know the cocaine was imitation. I think it is best to just not manufacture or buy the stuff.
In Tucson it is illegal for women to wear pants: Well I for one know that this law, while it might still be on the books, is not upheld. This law dates back to the old west where women were required to wear dresses. Thankfully we women can now wear pants even though this law is still on the books. I think I would have to move it they ever started upholding this law again.
Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs: You can bathe your donkey in your bathtub just make sure he doesn’t fall asleep during his bath. I have no idea what this really is about. As with most of the strange laws here, it probably dates back to the good ole wild west days.
When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon that the other person posseses: Okay, so it’s not bad enough that you are being attacked but now you can get into trouble for fighting back. Absurd. Law enforcement professionals are forever giving tips for protecting yourself, especially to women. I have heard numerous times that you should carry your car keys, one key between each set of fingers, to use as a weapon in case you are attacked. So now if you do get attacked and they person is using a gun and you hit them hard with your keys in your fingers weapon, then you can get busted. I’m sorry, but if I get attacked, I am using whatever is in my reach to fight back.
No more than six girls may live in one house: Going back to the good ole wild west days, this law was intended to cut down on the amount of brothels. Of course lawmakers at the time had no clue that later there would be sorority houses that have many more than the six girls living there. Look out if you are blessed with six children and they all happen to be girls. Guess you better get yourself a property with two separate houses on it or just not live in Arizona.
Anyone caught stealing soap must wash himself with it until the soap is all gone: Well, if you are stealing soap, then clearly you are already clean, so being forced to actually wash yourself with it is such a harsh crime. I bet this will make you think twice before stealing that bar of soap you have your eyes on. Of course, this is only is Mohave County, so feel free to steal all the soap you want in any other county.
It is illegal for men and women to have less than one missing tooth visible when smiling: This law, only for Tombstone, AZ is self-explanatory. Of course they are all about painting a beautiful picture of the town. Be sure to not smile while visiting Tombstone or you could be arrested.
No one is permitted to ride their horse up the stairs of the county court house: Next time you are visiting Prescott, AZ be sure to leave your horse at the curb. But feel free to ride your horse up the stairs of the county court house anywhere else in Arizona that you wish.
I realize most of these laws are no longer upheld, but a few of them are. Either way it gives you a strange glimpse into the past and what people of our fine state had to live with before. I guess it doesn’t say much about the type of legislatures we have had in the past. It’s a shame that we actually still have some legislatures who think like the old days.
