These 14 Weird Laws In Tennessee Are Unbelievable - Yet Totally Real
Meghan Kraft
Author
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 With how fast society seems to move, it’s incredibly easy for old laws to become outdated and forgotten.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.
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!
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!
4. The only animal that is legal to shoot out of a moving car via the window is a whale. Good luck finding one of those in land-locked 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!
6. Spitting on the sidewalk in Lexington is quite solidly illegal.
7. It's definitely not a good idea, but did you know it's actually a misdemeanor to tattoo a minor in Tennessee?
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8. Because holding hands is considered a gateway to sexual activity, it is illegal to do so on school grounds.
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.
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! We guess someone 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.
12. Sadly, the art of lassoing a fish is lost to Tennessee cowboys. This is illegal to do here.
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.
14. It's illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket in Tennessee.
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? Let us know which of these weird laws in Tennessee you found most shocking in the comments!
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. Check out this beautiful hike in this YouTube video by us at OnlyInYourState then grab some maps from AllTrails+ to start exploring:
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More to Explore
Weird Laws In Tennessee
What are some of the weirdest places you can go in Tennessee?
From our odd museums to our bizarre roadside attractions, there are plenty of weird places to go in Tennessee:
- Giant Wind Chime, Memphis
It's the largest in the state and sounds so amazing!
- The Bell Witch, Adams
You can still visit the farm where one of the spookiest urban legends in Tennessee history got its start.
- Museum of Salt & Pepper Shakers, Gatlinburg
There are over 20,000 pairs to gawk at.
What are some fun facts about Tennessee?
Fun facts about Tennessee include:
- Tennessee is home to 3,800 known caves.
- The Volunteer State is also home to the largest freshwater aquarium in America (it's in Chattanooga).
- Nashville may take the claim to fame, but Bristol is actually the birthplace of country music.
There's so much to learn about the Volunteer State!
Was Tennessee the first state to do anything?
There are actually a number of firsts in Tennessee that you may not be aware of:
- Bush's Baked Beans are from Chestnut Hill.
- Goo Goo Clusters were the first combination candy bar, invented in Nashville!
Thank goodness for Tennessee.