I’m in the US, so am more interested in US jurisdictions, but feel free to post regarding your favorite jurisdiction, regardless of where it is in the world.
I’m interested in things that are legal to do, but, when you think about it, are due to “interesting” legal situations, such as when times and customs change but old laws stick around, or when situations (such as technologies or customs) arise that allow unexpected usage of longstanding legal rights. The more novel, interesting, or bizarre, the better! If it was not clear, I’m primarily interested in things that relate to positive case or statutory law, rather than simply bizarre acts that legislatures or judges simply haven’t had to deal with.
E.g.:
As far as I can tell, it is 100% legal to ride a horse or drive a horse-drawn vehicle on most public streets in Virginia (commuters’ tempers notwithstanding), the exceptions being “limited access” highways such as interstates. It seems that dring the transition to motor vehicles, the legislature did not feel like having a “sunset” for horse drawn vehicles, and it eventually became a non-issue after animal transportation was reduced to 0.001% of all traffic and no law was really needed.
As far as I can tell, the President of the United States can legally appoint any adult US Citizen (and possibly any person at all) to a Commissioned Officer rank in the US Military. Now, I don’t see Obama bypassing standard Military candidacy and promotion procedure very much, but hey, it COULD happen!
In countries that include the British Monarchy, the Monarch has, in theory, a large set of rights that they do not use, or use strictly in line with the “Advice” given by Parliament.
There are several people traveling across the U.S. by wagon as an adventure. Bob Skelding is the only one I’ve followed at wagonteamster.com He’s planning a new year long trip next year through the Rockies and into Montana.
He’s been in at least ten or more states. No legal issues other than reflectors on the wagon. Stay off the Interstates. Similar to requirements Amish must follow.
I’ve been in lots of states where this is legal. Frankly, I’ve found that horses move a hell of a lot faster than some motorized farm implements I’ve been stuck behind.
Taco Bell is now charging 10 cents for a cup of water. This is illegal in Arizona. If someone asks for water, we are not allowed to refuse. We are allowed to call 911 to have the fire department deliver the water, but we are not allowed to refuse to do anything.
We don’t have to let them come into our home and fill their bottles, its legal to just point at the hose and walk away.
You mean if someone is trespassing on your property, and they say they were doing it to get water you can’t legally force them to leave your property? They’re allowed to break the law as long as they say the “right thing (I’m thirsty)”? Gah! That’s terrible.
In theory, the governor general could call me up tomorrow and ask me to serve as prime minister. He’d have to be insane to do so, but it’s not impossible. Of course, it’s also possible that the pope could die tomorrow, and the college of cardinals would elect me. I’m technically catholic, and biologically male. In either case, hillarity would ensue.
You might want to keep in mind, it’s Arizona. It’s probably a law from early colonization days, perhaps even from Spanish days, when refusing water to a traveller could very well be a death sentence.
I’ve heard, anecdotally (no cite), that it is legal to build/own any homemade firearms using legally obtained materials/ammunition without restriction - save convicted felons who are restricted in that regard.
I am surprised you find that surprising. It isn’t because lawmakers didn’t want to set a date when they aren’t allowed. It is legal to ride horses on the vast majority of roads in the U.S. because people still have the need or desire to do it. They may be people like the Amish or simply regular farmers moving their horse from one place to another. There are also parades, police horses, and simple pleasure rides. Lots of people ride horses on public roads all over the U.S. I don’t think there is anything unusual about that. You can take lots of odd things on roads. They aren’t just for cars.
Even thought the President has quite a bit of latitude here, this is overstating the case. Those receiving a commission for the first time are legally required to be either citizens or permanent residents, be under the age of 42, and be physically able to serve. Additionally, appointments to ranks above major/lieutenant commander are required to be approved by the Senate, which is pretty much a pro forma thing, but it is a check on the President’s power to appoint whomever he wants.
I’ve many times seen the claim that in North Dakota, it is legal to shoot an Indian on horseback if you are in a covered wagon. Unfortunately I could never verify that, because North Dakota laws seem extremely difficult to search.
All you 'Merkins might deem it a perfectly normal excercise of the First Amendment, but I was really surprised to learn (on the SDMB, no less) that it is completely legal to insult anyone in the brightest colors, including police officers. In Germany, there’s a law against that and you might face heavy fines.
We used to call them zip guns in The Bronx. We made them from wood (handle), a car antenna (barrel), and a hammer from a toy gun. Held together with electrical tape and triggered by rubber bands. Single shot. Fired 22 caliber bullets stolen from Sears.
Kids nowadays have no imagination. They just go out and buy a Saturday Night Special.
I can’t recall where this happened in the US; it’s from a news story I read many years ago. There was a fellow who kept trying to start a business, but a nearby church kept finding excuses to shut him down out of NIMBYism. Finally, he went and dug through the law and found some old statute left over from back when the region was mostly farms and not a town. He discovered that pig farming was legally protected, and set up his very own pig farm. Of course, when he installed the ventilation fans for his new pig raising facility, they just happened to be on the side of his property facing the church.
