Weirdest Laws In Alaska
Geographically the largest of the U.S. states, Alaska boasts over 3 million lakes, 12,000 rivers, and nearly 100,000 glaciers. Adding to the geological landscape are the 130 volcanoes, 50 of which have been active in the last 300 years (via Princess).
With a natural beauty that sets a pretty high bar, it's no wonder that tourists pour into this state by land, sea, and air. From the fishing villages along the seemingly endless shoreline to the remote and mountainous regions in the state's interior, there's no shortage of terrific photo opportunities. Animal life is in abundance, and this state gives the opportunity to see wildlife that other states don't have to offer.
But as beautiful as Alaska is, there are some pretty weird laws that help make up this state's character. After all, how much character can you have if you're not at least a little bit weird? Let's take a look at some of the strangest ones we've found still on the books in the 49th state.
Laws passed at the state level include not eating eels
For a state whose motto boasts that they are the "last frontier," one might be inclined to think that law and order would be somewhat absent. Nothing could be further from the truth. Laws at the state level in Alaska are in abundance, just as they are in every other state in the union. And the laws passed by the state legislature in this state can quite possibly exceed the levels of weird established by some other states.
For example, a state statute forbids whispering in the ear of another while they are hunting moose. Another weird state law makes it illegal for a person to eat a live eel in a public place unless the person loudly announces "Warning! Idiot eating live eels" (via golookup).
Breastfeeding in public is legal (as it should be). However, if the child is more than 6 months old, the mother faces a fine (via Stupid Laws).
Thinking about taking a great photograph of a sleeping bear? Before you snap a selfie, make sure you don't wake it. While it's not against the law to be mauled to death by a bear in Alaska, it is illegal to awaken one for the purpose of taking a picture with it (per Only in Your State).
Someone must have pushed a moose from a plane
Men who might wish to remove all of their clothing in Alaska will be disappointed to discover that a state law disallows men to be totally nude (via Stupid Laws). But hats count as clothing, right?
Should the snow in your neighbor's yard tempt you to steal, remember that it's illegal to swipe snow from next door for the purpose of building a snowman. But stealing it to build an igloo is totally acceptable.
If you are planning to take an airplane ride with a moose, be sure that you don't toss the poor creature out of the aircraft (per Only in Your State). This is against the law in Alaska. And if you are in a plane, there is a law that forbids you to look at moose that are on the ground. Also, no moose is allowed to have sex on city streets — state law.
Finally, the powers that be decided that it is illegal to intentionally avoid walking on the cracks that are in paved surfaces (via Stupid Laws). Oh, your poor mother's back!
When going to the barber, leave the flamingo at home
The municipalities within Alaska have also passed their own local weirdness. Stupid Laws tell us that city code in Anchorage won't allow more than three people to ride in the front seat of any motor vehicle. This city will also cite you for living inside of a trailer or mobile home as it is being moved on city streets. And in Fairbanks, you'll get into some legal trouble if you feed beer to a moose.
If you are planning on visiting the town of Nome, better leave your bow and arrows at home. The law here won't let you carry them in public. The same law won't allow you to carry a slingshot either, Dennis the Menace (per Only in Your State).
In Juneau, you cannot take your pet flamingo into a barbershop or beauty parlor. This one really makes you wonder what event predicated this law even being considered.
No drunks in the bar!
While visiting Fairbanks, be forewarned that you could get fined for being too loud. Should the volume of your voice make another person leave a public space, you could find yourself with a ticket (via Only in Your State). This same law will also get you into trouble for blowing a horn too loudly in public.
Finally, Business Insider reveals to us that in Alaska, it is illegal to be inside a bar or tavern while intoxicated. So if you are drunk, you have got to go home. Servers and bartenders get special training so that they can recognize the level of drunkenness of patrons. And just in case you might be thinking that this is an old law that isn't enforced, guess again. As recently as 2012, officials in the city of Anchorage sent in plainclothes officers as a part of sting operations to catch drunks in what could be argued as their natural habitat.
Routine revisions are key
Every state has its share of laws still on the books that are outdated. Knowing that we have a legal system that will allow for the routine review of all of our laws is what makes the legal system in the United States strong, as each generation can select existing laws that need to be revised or amended, and which ones should be eradicated entirely. Doing so will ensure that the laws that govern us continue to reflect the values of the time that we live in.
With all of the above in mind, it's great to know that some of the laws passed years ago in Alaska and other states will continue to amuse us as well as sometimes make us scratch our heads in disbelief.
Also, it might be interesting to know who it was that first fed beer to a moose. That would for sure be an interesting story to hear.