Weird Laws in New York
List of strange state laws on the books in New York. These rules and regulations were passed by the New York state legislature, or in an individual New York city, and for one reason or another, were never overturned, remaining active on the books until this day. Almost every city and state has some outdated, old-fashioned, or even nonsensical laws on the books, and they can come about for a variety of reasons. Most frequently, the laws appeared in the books following a court ruling on a specific case that set a common law precedent from that point on.
Strange or unnecessary laws have become a popular source for humor in popular culture. TV shows such as "The Simpsons" have had a lot of fun with the notion of small towns having peculiar regulations on the books. (In one episode, Mayor Quimby is surprised to find out the town charter mandates that all ducks wear long pants.)
Vote up which laws you think are the most ridiculous New York laws to have ever been created.- 1
Going Topless in Public is A-OK
Women may go topless in public, providing it is not being used for business. - 2
It's Illegal to Call Sons Homophobic Names
It is illegal for a father to call his son a “f*ggot” or “queer” in an effort to curb “girlie behavior." (Staten Island) - 3
Couples Must Both Agree that Their Differences Are Irreconcilable
New Yorkers cannot dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences, unless they both agree to it. - 4
There Goes Everyone's Social Lives
It is against the law to throw a ball at someone’s head for fun. - 5
If Jumping Off a Building Doesn't Kill You... the City of NYC Will
The penalty for jumping off a building is death. - 6
Thou Shalt Not Wiggle Thine Fingers at Fellow Citizens
Citizens may not greet each other by “putting one’s thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers.”
