The Alabama Constitution was ratified in 1901 and is over 380,000 words long, making it one of the longest governing documents in the world.
To put that into perspective, the average state constitution is around 39,000 words (there are just over 7,000 words for the U.S. Constitution). The U.S. Constitution also has only 27 amendments – Alabama has almost 950.
With a document that old and expansive, it only makes sense that it would contain some strange and antiquated laws that are downright laughable today. And it isn’t just the state constitution, some Alabama cities have weird laws as well.
Here are some of the most bizarre laws found in Alabama.
Wrestling a bear is illegal.
Apparently, this was such a problem back in the day the state legislature felt it needed to be addressed.
It's illegal to wear a mustache in church
The reason? It could cause laughter, and we obviously can’t have that during the sermon.
It's illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket
Don’t know why you would, but at least it’s good to know you can’t, I guess.
Putting salt on a railroad track is punishable by death
I’m sure at one time there was a good reason for this. But doesn’t it seem a bit harsh?
Playing Dominoes is fine, but not on Sundays
Plan your week accordingly, or be prepared to pay the price.
In Mobile, it's illegal to throw confetti or spray silly string
So think twice before you have that birthday or gender reveal party.
It's illegal to open an umbrella on the street in Montgomery
Why? Because you’ll scare the horses.
It's illegal to impersonate a member of the clergy
The punishment is a $500 fine and up to one year in jail.
Boogers can't be flicked into the wind
Just remember: into the wind = Illegal, against the wind = perfectly acceptable.
In Lee County, it's illegal to sell peanuts after sundown on Wednesday
Any other day of the week is fine, but the middle of the week is off-limits.
In Mobile, it's illegal to throw orange peels on the sidewalk
So that’s no silly string or orange peels in Mobile. It’s also illegal to bathe in the city’s fountains in case you didn’t know.
It's illegal to wear blue jeans on Noble Street in Anniston
Blue jeans are acceptable everywhere else in Anniston in case you’re wondering.
It's illegal to drive blindfolded
That seems like a good call…
But it is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street
So long as you have a lantern attached to the front of your vehicle. We wouldn’t recommend doing this, though.
Are there any crazy laws that we missed? Be sure to let us know.
