These 14 Weird Laws in Tennessee Are Unbelievable – yet Totally Real

Have you ever wondered "What is illegal in Tennessee?" Well, the times, they are a-changin', as the old song goes, and they are moving at a fast pace. With how fast society seems to move, it's incredibly easy for old laws to become outdated and forgotten. Sometimes, new, weird laws in Tennessee get put on the books that make us scratch our heads. We've gathered up a few strange laws in Tennessee for you. It's unlikely that you'd be prosecuted for many of them, but you do have to wonder what happened to even put them on the books to begin with! There are plenty of strange things about Tennessee, and these definitely belong on the list: So without further ado here are some of the weirdist laws in Tennessee.

1. It's illegal to sell hollow logs in Tennessee, so don't even try.

Supposedly, the reasoning behind this is that unscrupulous log dealers may sell them to unsuspecting buyers as solid wood, which burns better and longer.

2. Carrying a skunk across state borders is a huge no-no.

Of course, this is a hobby you probably want to avoid unless you want a stinky car, anyway! This law may sound a little odd, but it does have sound reasoning behind it. Animals brought over from other states could easily out-compete native Tennessee animals, leading to problems with invasive species.

3. In Oneida, it is technically considered illegal for a woman to call a man up on the phone and ask him out on a date.

That's bad news for all those independent ladies out there! Perhaps a text message or a DM will work instead. The good news is, this law is not enforced, so no need to worry.

4. The only animal that is legal to shoot out of a moving car via the window is a whale.

Of all the weird laws in Tennessee, this just might be the strangest. Good luck finding one of those in landlocked Tennessee!

5. Feel free to move in with your girlfriends, ladies - but not too many of them.

If eight or more women are living together in Tennessee, the house is considered a brothel. Yikes! If this is enforced, I know this law could for sure get some of us in trouble.

6. Spitting on the sidewalk in Lexington is quite solidly illegal.

Obviously, keeping a clean sidewalk is important in this small town in Tennessee, so I have nothing to say about this law, as weird as it may seem.

7. It's definitely not a good idea, but did you know it's actually a misdemeanor to tattoo a minor (18) in Tennessee?

Most of us can probably agree that this law makes complete sense. And to further clarify, minors (16) with the consent of their parents can get a tattoo to cover up a previous one. A parent must be present during the cover-up.

8. Because holding hands is considered a gateway to sexual activity, it is illegal to do so on school grounds.

Incredibly, this is not a long-standing law: this one was just passed in 2012!

9. Does that roadkill look appetizing to you? Go for it! It's completely legal to pick up some roadkill on the way home and fry it up for supper.

Note that this only applies to non-protected species and that you are required to notify TWRA or law enforcement if the animal in question is a deer.

10. In Oneida, the song "It Ain't Goin' To Rain No Mo" is actually outlawed.

Make sure not to hum that tune too loudly if you're in the city! Someone must have got it stuck in their head one too many times.

11. As of 2011, sharing your Netflix account password is an illegal thing in Tennessee.

I suppose Tennessee was ahead of the game because current Netflix users can't share their passwords with folks who live outside of their homes. Luckily, there will be no fine, but you'll need to pay extra for sharing your account.

12. Sadly, the art of lassoing a fish is lost to Tennessee cowboys.

This is illegal to do here. How's that for strange laws in Tennessee?

13. Just in case this is something you were planning on doing, it is illegal to drive in Tennessee if you are asleep.

Though it might make traffic jams more bearable. No matter how you view this, it's dangerous to sleep behind the wheel, but does this apply if you have a self-driving car too?

14. It's illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket in Tennessee.

This one may sound odd, but it actually did once have a reason. Ice cream in your back pocket was supposedly an effective method of stealing a horse, who would be tempted by the sweet treat. Incidentally, it is still technically on the books that you can be hanged for horse theft in Tennessee, so you probably don't want to be stealing any horses.

Admittedly, most of the weirdest laws in Tennessee are old and completely unenforced now, but it makes you look at this beautiful Southern state a bit differently, hey? Who knew Tennesseans had a thing against skunks? I bet you found some of these weird laws in Tennessee shocking.

Life in Tennessee is always interesting, so you can also nominate any other weird things in Tennessee that you know of for a chance to see them featured in an upcoming article.

These laws might leave you scratching your head, but do you know what isn't weird? The views from the Raven Rock Trail at Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee. Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.