# Are there states where something is uniquely illegal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 7, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195 "2021-08-07T14:58:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/162 "2021-08-11T23:00:50Z")
In my West Texas town, we had a roundabout that was called a “traffic circle.” Just the one. It was universally ridiculed, but I found it efficient. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/163 "2021-08-11T23:18:48Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’m sure you are all correct, but in New Jersey, we call them Circles. I’m using the terms traffic engineers use. Your local idiom may use other terms. For example, they, both the new and old, are often called rotaries in New England. The distinction is important to traffic engineers and to how the traffic moves in them, but lots of people do not understand the difference. That’s OK, they don’t really have to understand that to use them. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/164 "2021-08-11T23:27:03Z")
NJ also has jughandles which i haven’t seen elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/165 "2021-08-11T23:42:44Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > NJ also has jughandles which i haven’t seen elsewhere I’ve seen them elsewhere, but they’re really uncommon. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/166 "2021-08-11T23:53:57Z")
They are so common in NJ that one of our best breweries is > **[Jughandle Brewing Company - Craft Brewery, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753](https://www.jughandlebrewing.com/)** > > A craft brewery located off Parkway Exit 102: 4057 Asbury Ave, Tinton Falls, NJ, 07753. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-7pm for to go orders and online pickup or delivery. If you want to know what exit?, they are just off of Exit 102. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/167 "2021-08-12T03:56:16Z")
And gerbils are illegal in CA. Supposedly because they’ll be bad for agriculture, ferrets are illegal just because. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/168 "2021-08-12T04:00:37Z")
A breeding population of ferrets in the wild -outside of their range-would cause damage to the ecosystem. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/169 "2021-08-12T04:03:23Z")
Well, ferrets don’t have a range as they’re an “artificial” animal created from European polecats. But why is that a unique problem in California? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/170 "2021-08-12T04:09:17Z")
California is just more careful with these things. Lots of introduced animal have gotten out of control: [7 Invasive Species That Have Wreaked Havoc in the US | HISTORY](https://www.history.com/news/invasive-species-list-mammals-birds-aquatic)’ ## BURMESE PYTHONS, NUTRIA, NUTRIA etc. The safe bet is to not allow it. Many “pets” have escaped and done untold damage to the ecology. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/23/like-most-invasive-species-pythons-are-in-the-u-s-to-stay/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/23/like-most-invasive-species-pythons-are-in-the-u-s-to-stay/) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/171 "2021-08-12T04:25:52Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > And gerbils are illegal in CA. Supposedly because they’ll be bad for agriculture, ferrets are illegal just because. Gerbils and ferrets are also illegal in Hawaii, so _almost_ unique. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/172 "2021-08-12T04:30:46Z")
Didn’t know that, but Hawaii and Alaska are sometimes the hard ones to provide 2-3 exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![pdhenry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pdhenry/32/5561_2.png) [@pdhenry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdhenry)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/173 "2021-08-14T12:54:35Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Alcohol laws are hugely variant. In Pennsylvania, for example, you buy alcohol at the “State Store” - a weird term if you think about it. PA is liberalizing. You can now buy beer (up to 192 ounces, = 12 16-ounce bottles/cans) and wine (up to 3 liters, = 4 750 ml bottles) at many grocery stores and convenience stores. Interesting side point - when I use my Amex at the PA “Fine Wine and Spirits” emporium it gets categorized in the statement as Government Services. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/174 "2021-08-14T13:31:26Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I’ve bought a few houses in my time. I have never even heard that this exists. It’s never been hinted to me that I would need to write a letter. > [@The article](#): > > The problem, according to the NAR, is they might contain personal information about the buyer that could lead to accusations of discrimination. It’s illegal for any seller to discriminate based on a buyer’s race, gender, religion or family makeup, and such a heartfelt letter may contain clues that could lead to the perception of discrimination. Where is the state interest in preventing someone from doing something stupid that harms only themselves? I mean, it’s not like they’ll wind up in ER or put someone else in jeopardy of loss or injury. If the NAR is concerned, why not draft a rule within the organization that Realtors not submit love letters? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/175 "2021-08-14T14:56:44Z")
Who said anything about people doing things that harm only themselves? Suppose that a seller has two prospective buyers. One buyer writes a letter that says “We’re good white folks, who will keep this neighborhood from being overrun by the wrong kinds of people”, and the other buyer says nothing. The one writing the letter isn’t the one getting harmed, here. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/176 "2021-08-14T15:08:11Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Where is the state interest in preventing someone from doing something stupid that harms only themselves? I mean, it’s not like they’ll wind up in ER or put someone else in jeopardy of loss or injury. If the NAR is concerned, why not draft a rule within the organization that Realtors not submit love letters? None of the ones I have received came from a realtor. They all came from the potential buyer. It was probably at the suggestion of the realtor but try to prove that. How can you have a rule preventing people from sending mail? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/177 "2021-08-14T16:52:13Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > If you want to know what exit?, they are just off of Exit 102. Is knowing ‘what exit’ your super power? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/178 "2021-08-14T22:44:40Z")
Agreed. I don’t know how it is even constitutional. If I write a letter to a home owner that says, “Please allow me to buy your house even if my offer is slightly less than other offers. I am 21 years old, newly married, my wife is pregnant, and this house would be just perfect for us!!!” then how can a government make such a letter illegal??? > [@Chronos](#): > > Suppose that a seller has two prospective buyers. One buyer writes a letter that says “We’re good white folks, who will keep this neighborhood from being overrun by the wrong kinds of people”, and the other buyer says nothing. The one writing the letter isn’t the one getting harmed, here. IIRC, it is illegal for even a private individual to discriminate based on race when selling a home. A letter like that would be illegal under federal law as it solicits the seller to commit a crime. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/179 "2021-08-15T16:38:11Z")
You say that you can’t see how such a letter could possibly be illegal, then you say that one specific such letter is illegal. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/180 "2021-08-15T19:53:35Z")
Speech is not illegal (and cannot be illegal) except in limited circumstances, such as soliciting to commit a crime. Telling someone that you are a young married couple is not illegal, and does not fall into any constitutional exception to free speech to where a government could plausibly prohibit it, let alone outlaw _any and all_ letters to a particular person. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195/181 "2021-08-17T05:50:43Z")
[This is the new law in Oregon.](https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/HB2550) It doesn’t make the letters illegal, it just (implicitly) makes it illegal for the seller’s agent to pass them on to the seller. (IMO “other than customary documents” is too vague. The problem with the letters is that they had become customary.) > [@](#): > > (7) In order to help a seller avoid selecting a buyer based on the buyer’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status or familial status as prohibited by the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), a seller’s agent shall reject any communication other than customary documents in a real estate transaction, including photographs provided by a buyer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-states-where-something-is-uniquely-illegal/948195.md?page=10)