Strange Laws in Massachusetts

These odd laws are still in effect in Massachusetts. Have you broken any lately?

1. It is illegal to give beer to hospital patients. M.G.L. c. 270 §5.
2. Hunting on Sundays is prohibited. M.G.L. c. 131 §57.
3. Spitting on a public sidewalk shall be punished by a fine. M.G.L. c. 270 §14. 
4. It is illegal to frighten a pigeon. M.G.L. c. 266 §132. 
5. Defacing a milk carton is punishable by a fine. M.G.L. c. 266 §128.
6. If you are over 16 years old, you can be fined for yelling any profane or obscene language at an official or participant in a sporting event! M.G.L. c. 272 §36A. 
7. It is a punishable offense to willfully disturb people in a public library. M.G.L. c. 272 §41.
8. It is illegal to sell fewer than 24 ducklings at a time before May 1. M.G.L. c. 272 §80D.
9. Reproaching Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost can land you in jail. M.G.L. c. 272 §36. 
10. Targets at shooting ranges cannot resemble a human being. M.G.L. c. 140 §131.

These silly laws haven’t gone unnoticed. “An Act Relative to Archaic Laws”, a Bill Senator William N. Brownsberger has brought to present before the senate, will get rid of laws number 3, 4, 6, and 9 if passed. 2021 MA S.B. 930 (NS). There are 23 other proposed archaic laws in this bill, though none as funny as these! Head to Westlaw to read the full Bill. 

-Taylor Mace