November 15, 2017 | Grace Cameron

Facts About Things You Won't Believe Are Legal


Is that legal? Uh yes. The law, despite being upstanding and illustrious, is fickle. Societies change, and it's astonishing what was once legal in so-called civilized society. Conversely, some countries and states simply don't always have the time to update all their laws, leading to some strange current legal practices out there. Here are 20 things you won't believe were (and are!) still legal.

Disclaimer: Just because something is legal by the written word of the law, that does not mean it's an OK thing to do. Use common sense, respect the safety of others, and treat people with kindness.


Legal Facts

19. High Times

Meth was once FDA-approved and sold as "Methedrine" in pharmacies. In fact, many illicit substances were once not only legal but widely sold.

Legal FactsShutterstock

18. Can You Just Leave a Package Slip?

It was once legal to mail children through the post—although really only because no one had thought of it. At the time, the post only had weight limits, and there are several stories of quick-thinking families who sent their children through the mail rather than shell out for train tickets.

Legal FactsFlickr

Advertisement

17. Castration Normalization

Castration was once a perfectly normal and legal thing to do, which is why we had the Eunuchs and Castrati. Homosexuality was also often treated with chemical castration; famed computer scientist Alan Turing opted to be chemically castrated rather than to face jail time.

Legal FactsShutterstock

16. Family Ties

It’s legal to marry your first cousin in Washington D.C., New York, New Jersey and 17 other states.

Legal FactsPxHere

15. A Bottle of Beer

In 2001, Belgium toyed with idea of making it legal for school children to drink light beer in a state-sponsored move meant to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks and, in turn, childhood obesity.

Legal FactsShutterstock

Advertisement

14. Fire Away

Once you get permission from the aeronautics division of the Department of Commerce, it’s perfectly legal to fire a missile in South Carolina. If you don't get permission? It's only a $100 fine.

Legal FactsShutterstock

 

13. Up in Flames

Under US federal law, it’s legal to buy a flamethrower.

Legal FactsGetty Images

12. Backyard Shooting Range

Besides shooting on a public street or over a house with people living in it, until 2016, Florida law allowed you to shoot small arms in your backyard.

Legal FactsShutterstock

Advertisement

11. Mommy, Can We Get a Tiger?

Nine US states allow residents to own large cats, primates, and bears.

Legal FactsPicryl

Factinate

Sign up to our newsletter.

History’s most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Making distraction rewarding since 2017.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.

10. Bestiality

While it may not be encouraged, four states and the District of Columbia do not outlaw bestiality.

Legal FactsPixabay

9. Penis Pictures

In 2014, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that sending unsolicited photos of your penis through text is perfectly legal. The ruling came after a man sent a snap to a married mother. Bonus fact: he had the phrase "“STRONG E nuf 4 A MAN BUT Made 4 A WOMAN" tattooed down there.

Legal FactsPxHere

Advertisement

8. Night Driving with Sunglasses

It's legal—and cool—to wear sunglasses when driving at night in Washington state.

Legal FactsShutterstock

7. Religious Persecution

In 2017 in Arizona, a man won the right to wear a colander on his head for his driver's license photo. The man identifies as a Pastafarian of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a satirical religion that pokes fun at other religions; the colander is a part of his religious beliefs.

Legal FactsShutterstock

 

6. Child Bride

A 13-year-old girl can legally get married in New Hampshire. A boy, however, has to wait until he's 14.

Legal FactsShutterstock

Advertisement

5. Marriage Bed

Until 1993, it was legal in some states for men to have sex with their wives without consent.

Legal FactsGetty Images

4. Jail Birds

Because extramarital intimacy is against the law, a rapist and his victim could be charged with the same crime in Dubai.

Mistaken Identity FactsShutterstock

3. Wife Beating

A husband can legally beat his wife in Arkansas, according to a law passed in the 1800s. Don't worry though, he can only do it once a month.

Worst Airplane Experience FactsShutterstock

Advertisement

2. Guess it's Upper Body Day

In Hong Kong, a wife may legally kill a cheating husband—but only if she can do it with her bare hands.

Legal FactsShutterstock

1. System of Beliefs

Atheists are barred from holding public office in seven U.S. states.

Legal FactsShutterstock

 

Sources:  12345


More from Factinate

Featured Article

My mom never told me how her best friend died. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery.

Dark Family Secrets

Dark Family Secrets Exposed

Nothing stays hidden forever—and these dark family secrets are proof that when the truth comes out, it can range from devastating to utterly chilling.
April 8, 2020 Samantha Henman

Featured Article

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.

Madame de Pompadour Facts

Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.
December 7, 2018 Kyle Climans

More from Factinate

Featured Article

I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life.

These People Got Genius Revenges

When someone really pushes our buttons, we'd like to think that we'd hold our head high and turn the other cheek, but revenge is so, so sweet.
April 22, 2020 Scott Mazza

Featured Article

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but few people know her even darker history.

Catherine of Aragon Facts

Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s First Wife

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but very few people know her even darker history.
June 7, 2018 Christine Tran



Dear reader,


Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? We’re always looking for your input! Please reach out to us to let us know what you’re interested in reading. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from “Life” to “Compact Cars and Trucks” to “A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius.” We’ll get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics you’re interested in. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your time!


Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? At Factinate, we’re dedicated to getting things right. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. We want our readers to trust us. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Please let us know if a fact we’ve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect it’s inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,



The Factinate team




Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.