Tennessee - back.to.main

State Law

• The definition of "dumb animal" includes every living creature. (Repealed)
• Interracial marriages are illegal. (Repealed)
• Tattooing a minor is a misdemeanor. (Repealed)
• It is illegal to dare a child to purchase a beer.
• It is illegal to place tacks on a highway.
• Skunks may not be carried into the state.
• You can't shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.
• Hollow logs may not be sold.
• More than 8 women may not live in the same house because that would constitute a brothel.
• It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
• "Crimes against nature" are prohibited.
• Ministers are to be dedicated to God and therefore are not eligible to hold a seat in either House of the Legislature.
• Any person who participates in a duel may not hold any public office in the state.
• Giving and receiving oral sex is still prohibited by law.
• Stealing a horse is punishible by hanging.
• No Christian parent may require their children to pick up trash from the highway on Easter day.
• Driving is not to be done while asleep.
• It is legal to gather and consume roadkill.

Local Law

Dyersburg

• It is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date.

Fayette County

• You may not have more than five inoperable vehicles on a piece of property.

Knoxville

• In front of their buildings, all businesses must have a "hitching post."

Lenior County

• When you pull up to a stop sign you must fire a gun out the window to warn horse carriages that you are coming.

Lexington

• No one may eat ice cream on the sidewalk.
• Spitting on the sidewalk is prohibited.

Memphis

• Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians.
• It's illegal for frogs to croak after 11 PM.
• Panhandlers must first obtain a $10 permit before begging on the streets of downtown Memphis.
• It is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners. It is also illegal to take unfinished pie home. All pie must be eaten on the premises.

Nashville

• No person may keep a cheetah as a pet.
• Males may not be sexually aroused in public.
• Anyone rollerblading may not tie his or herself to a moving vehicle on a highway.
• No person may roller skate and listen to a personal cd player at the same time.
• Throwing stones is prohibited as it might break a window.
• To play pinball, one must be 18 years old.
• All persons riding scooters must ride in single file.

Oneida

• An ordinance forbids anyone to sing the song "It Ain't Goin' To Rain No Mo'."