Laws can be strange, and sometimes, things that seem obviously illegal are actually perfectly within the law. While some of these might raise ethical concerns or make you scratch your head, they are still completely within the boundaries of the law in various parts of the United States.
Here are the surprising things you might assume are illegal but are, in fact, 100% legal.
Owning a Flamethrower
It might sound like something that would require heavy regulation, but in most U.S. states, private ownership of flamethrowers is completely legal. There are no federal laws prohibiting them, and only a handful of states impose restrictions. As long as you’re not using it to commit a crime, you can legally buy and use a flamethrower in many areas.
Eating Roadkill
Eating roadkill might not sound appetizing, but it’s legal in most states. Some places even have specific laws allowing people to claim freshly killed animals for consumption. Advocates argue that it reduces waste and provides a free source of meat.
States like Montana and West Virginia have formalized roadkill salvage programs, ensuring that people can legally harvest and eat animals hit by vehicles.
Driving Barefoot
Many people believe it’s against the law to drive without shoes, but that’s actually a myth. No state in the U.S. has laws prohibiting barefoot driving. While it may not be the safest option, and a police officer might give you a warning if they think it’s reckless, you can legally drive shoeless without fear of getting a ticket for it.
Owning a Pet Alligator
In some states, you can legally own an alligator as a pet. While many places have strict regulations on exotic animal ownership, states like Florida allow individuals to keep alligators as long as they have the proper permits. This might not be the most practical pet, but if you meet the requirements, there’s nothing stopping you from having one in your backyard.
Marrying Your Cousin
This might seem taboo, but cousin marriage is legal in more than half of U.S. states. Laws vary, with some states requiring genetic counseling, but in many places, first cousins can legally get married without restriction. Historically, cousin marriage was quite common, and even today, it remains legal in numerous countries worldwide.
Owning a Tank
Believe it or not, owning a fully operational tank is legal in many parts of the U.S. Private collectors can purchase decommissioned military tanks, and some are even street-legal if modified properly.
The main restrictions typically involve the removal of functional weaponry, but otherwise, there are few legal barriers to owning one of these massive vehicles.
Selling Your Own Organs (Sort Of)
It is strictly illegal to sell your vital organs like kidneys, but you can legally sell certain body parts, such as plasma, hair, and even breast milk. Plasma donation centers pay donors, and some places offer compensation for human hair. In some states, you can even sell a piece of your liver, as long as it’s done through legal, medical channels.
Walking Around Naked on Your Own Property
In many areas, it’s perfectly legal to go as nature intended and be nude on your own property, as long as you’re not intentionally exposing yourself to others in a lewd way. Some states even have relaxed public nudity laws, allowing people to sunbathe topless or walk nude in designated areas without facing arrest.
Owning and Operating a Private Jail
Believe it or not, some states allow private individuals or companies to own and run jails. While most correctional facilities are run by state or federal agencies, certain regions permit privately run detention centers.
These facilities contract with governments to house inmates, sometimes sparking controversy over their for-profit models and conditions.
Betting on Political Elections
While betting on sports is heavily regulated in the U.S., wagering on political elections is legal in some states and online markets. Certain prediction markets allow individuals to bet on election outcomes, often under the guise of research or educational purposes. While it’s not as mainstream as sports betting, it remains a legal and sometimes lucrative activity for those interested in politics.
Growing Opium Poppies
It may come as a shock, but growing opium poppies is perfectly legal in the U.S. for ornamental purposes. Producing opium from them is highly illegal, but the flowers themselves are not banned.
Many gardeners plant them without realizing their potential for drug production, and law enforcement rarely enforces restrictions unless there’s evidence of illicit use.
Practicing Cannibalism (Under Certain Conditions)
Murder, desecration of a corpse, and selling human meat are obviously illegal, there are no federal laws outright banning cannibalism itself. If someone were to consume human flesh in a way that did not involve a crime, such as with voluntary donation, it wouldn’t necessarily be against the law.
That said, social and ethical considerations make this a nearly unheard-of occurrence.
Owning a Machine Gun
Contrary to popular belief, it is legal to own a fully automatic weapon in the U.S., albeit under very strict conditions. Machine guns manufactured before 1986 can be legally purchased by civilians if they comply with federal registration and licensing requirements. Obtaining one is expensive and highly regulated, but it’s not outright illegal.
Refusing to Serve Anyone at Your Business
Private businesses have broad discretion in whom they choose to serve as long as they are not discriminating against a protected class (such as race or religion). This means a business owner can legally refuse service to customers for reasons like dress code violations, rude behavior, or simply personal preference.
Buying an Unclaimed Storage Unit and Keeping Everything Inside
If a storage unit’s rent goes unpaid for a certain period, the facility can legally auction off its contents. Buyers who win these auctions are legally entitled to everything inside, regardless of its value. While rare treasures are not guaranteed, people have found everything from valuable antiques to wads of cash in abandoned storage units.
Digging Up Treasure on Public Land
Finding buried treasure might seem like something out of a movie, but it’s completely legal to dig for and keep discovered valuables in certain areas. State and federal lands often have restrictions, but private lands or unclaimed areas may allow treasure hunters to keep whatever they find. Some lucky individuals have unearthed historical artifacts or even gold nuggets, all legally theirs to keep.
Carrying a Sword in Public
This might seem like something out of a medieval fantasy, but in many states, carrying a sword in public is completely legal. While firearms are heavily regulated, there are fewer restrictions on openly carrying bladed weapons, including full-length swords.
Some states have specific length limits, but others allow individuals to walk around with a sword strapped to their back. As long as there’s no intent to harm, it’s perfectly within the law.