Why don't we repeal old laws?

You see lists all the time of some of the strangest laws still on the books.
Why do not state and federal legislatures spend some time getting rid of ridiculous and/ or outdated laws?
I would feel much better about our elected officials if they did more than just create more legislation.

One month out of a year, couldn't they review and eliminate old laws. Or propose laws to be eliminated by vote if need be.

For your viewing pleasure:

Chickens are not allowed to cross the road (Quitman, Georgia)

justsomething.co...

Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship. (California)

www.dumblaws.com...

a reply to: randomtangentsrme
It means hard work for somebody.
In England, nobody bothered abolishing the mediaeval right of deciding legal disputes in "trial by battle" until somebody claimed it in Victorian times.

Found a few for here up north as well
The law itself doesn't even honour some of these

19. In Calgary, if released from prison, it is required that you are given a handgun with bullets and a horse, so you can ride out of town.

www.discovercanadianlawyers.ca...

a reply to: snowspirit

My second link has an international section:

You may not paint a ladder as it will be slippery when wet. (Canada)

In fact I think it is still the law that London cab-drivers must carry a load of hay for the benefit of their horses.

It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood, or undergo such incessant changes, that no man who knows what the law is to-day, can guess what it will be to-morrow.

-James Madison, The Federalist no. 62 (1788)

a reply to: randomtangentsrme

I'm not allowed to make soap for retail sales in my house. I was informed by a lawyer when I closed on it 27 years ago. Nor any other products made with lye. Oh well and I really wanted a soap factory in my basement. Shucks

a reply to: snowspirit

Lol here's you hat what's your hurry?

a reply to: randomtangentsrme

It's weird to see silly laws mingled in with ones that they take really seriously.

Homeowners are responsible for clearing snow off of municipal sidewalks in front of their house or business.

Some places will fine 💸 a person if they're not out there clearing snow often enough

Bylaw states that no more than 3.

⬆️ That's a little bit vague......🤔


That ladder law is priceless

originally posted by: snowspirit
a reply to: randomtangentsrme

It's weird to see silly laws mingled in with ones that they take really seriously.

Homeowners are responsible for clearing snow off of municipal sidewalks in front of their house or business.

Some places will fine 💸 a person if they're not out there clearing snow often enough

Bylaw states that no more than 3.

⬆️ That's a little bit vague......🤔


That ladder law is priceless

It's in your link as well, sub heading Alberta (No. 16)

This one makes me sad for your fellows in Bancroft.

In Bancroft, it’s illegal to skinny dip.

a reply to: randomtangentsrme

It costs more to take them out. That's why, if you can get banned from Stratford, Ontario, they legally have to give you three days rations, a horse, a shotgun and shells for it. I still have yet to figure out what one would need to do in order to get banned, but if I can, that'll be one law they'll finally repeal.

a reply to: wtfatta

Due to working in a small town (150 ish people year round). I have knowledge of people being run out of town by the sheriff rather than deal with the arresting paperwork etc (around 10 years ago). I do not think it works that way in most cities these days.

a reply to: randomtangentsrme

In Montana we still have a law on the books that if you are in a covered wagon and more than 5 Native Americans approach you then you can shoot them.

They could be a war party, you see...

Of course, it is also illegal here to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone.

And it is a felony for the wife to open her husband's mail.

Lots of dumb laws out there...

a reply to: Lumenari

Right! So why is no one auditing the laws and proposing to get rid of those that we cannot enforce.

I mean seriously, why legislate the action of animals. They do not understand our language, nor our mores.

It would be interesting to learn why some of those laws were written in the first place.


That sheep one, for example.


On second thought, maybe not.

a reply to: Phage

True. Going by the language they are very specific, one off situations.

Sheep one?
What did you find?

Chickens are not allowed to cross the road (Quitman, Georgia)

Why did the politician cross the road?

To catch the chicken.

Just cause no else did.

a reply to: neo96

You give politicians to much credit. . .

originally posted by: randomtangentsrme
a reply to: Phage


Sheep one?
What did you find?

Of course, it is also illegal here to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: Phage

Yea... there are some times where it is just better to not think it through.