Modern society is a weird mix of independence and structure.
While we, as humans, are free to do mostly what we please, the government does its best to impose rules and regulations to keep us safe, and even alive. Normally, they work extremely hard to pass fair legislation to herd humanity toward cooperative living. Sometimes, just sometimes, there are slip-ups, and bizarre laws and loopholes come out of the woodworks. The great state of Indiana is no exception. Here are some weird laws, and almost-laws, that we've had passed.
Written by Vinny Corsaro
1. No one may catch a fish with his/her bare hands (IC 14-22-9-1 Sec 1a.)
There are (weirdly) many ways in which it's illegal to catch a fish. You aren't allowed to shoot them with a gun, a crossbow, or (yes) even your hands. I'd like to input that if you can catch a fish with your bare hands, you're probably a badass, in which case, you should totally try and put videos online because I'd watch that.
2. Indianapolis residents may not ride their horse over 10 MPH (Sec. 441-105)
Horses are vehicles (within the eyes of the law), so there are some regulations for them. If you happen to have a horse, be mindful of how fast you ride it through the city streets. Also, if you happen to ride your horse through the city streets a lot, you may be a strange person.
3. A person must get a referral from a licensed physician if he or she wishes to see a hypnotist unless the desired procedure is to quit smoking or lose weight (IC 25-20.5-1-23 Sec 23a.)
Hypnotism, even though there are skeptics, is considered real enough for the government to pass legislation about the most acceptable ways to go to one. The mind is a powerful thing, so maybe the feds want to make sure you don't get possessed? Or get superpowers? Who knows.
4. Liquor stores have to sell un-iced/warm sodas (IC 7.1-3-10-5 Sec. 5)
Liquor stores, being government regulated entities, have certain rules they need to follow as per their permit. One of them is, weirdly enough, the idea that they have to sell warm sodas. I know that I've been to a liquor store where they sold Coke and Sprite out of a fridge, but I won't tell on them. Snitches get stitches.
5. You can get out of paying for a dependent's medical care by praying for him/her (IC 35-46-1-5 Sec. 5)
Thoughts and prayers? Technically, if you present your case well enough to the judge, you can make the defense that your prayers are treatment, and you won't get punished by law for refusing to help your dependent. While I'm not saying you shouldn't pray for your loved ones, I do think you should probably at least try to see a doctor.
6. It's illegal to sniff glue (IC 35-46-6-2 Sec. 2)
Damn government always trying to ruin the fun! While states have varying laws on inhalants, since they're technically legal, some states like Indiana have laws classifying huffing a misdemeanor. California is a state that has extreme laws — if your inhalant isn't locked up, you can face jail time if a minor uses it. So, if you plan on huffing glue, you might as well just go buy some CBD. It's legal, and won't turn your brain into soup.
Honorable Mentions:
These used to be laws, or almost became laws, but are no longer in the books as they are written below. Still, they're weird. Here ya go.
HM: The state house of reps said that the value of pi is actually 3. And it passed, and is still in limbo with the state senate. I guess numbers are hard?
HM: In South Bend, there was a law that specifically stated you can't force a monkey to smoke a cigarette. This legislation was passed in 1923, after a man was caught walking down the street smoking a cigarette while his pet monkey did the same. It is technically animal abuse, no matter how much your monkey pleads and begs. Just get him a Juul next time.
Know of a weird Indiana law we need to know about? Let us know at [email protected]!
