Strange laws.
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We look up the statute. Then we tell you whether the story you heard is true.
“In Germany a pillow is legally classified as a passive weapon, so hitting someone with one counts as assault with a weapon”
No German law classifies a pillow as a weapon, passive or otherwise. 'Passive weapon' (Schutzwaffe) is a real legal term, but it means protective gear such as helmets and shields banned at demonstrations; the only pillow ruling on record is a 2014 Federal Court of Justice case in which a pillow pressed over a victim's face for a minute was treated as a dangerous instrument because of how it was used.
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No, Californians Don't Need a Hunting Licence to Set a Mousetrap
The claim that Californians must obtain a hunting licence before trapping or killing mice is false. In reality, California law explicitly exempts house mice from all trapping licence requirements and even legally obliges residents to exterminate rodents for public health reasons.
It's Illegal to Be Drunk in a British Pub — Yes, Really
Under Section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872, it is a criminal offence to be found drunk on any licensed premises in England and Wales — including pubs, bars, and beer gardens. The law is still on the statute books today, though it is rarely enforced.
Card Counting in US Casinos: Totally Legal (But They'll Still Throw You Out)
Despite widespread belief, card counting is not illegal under any federal or state law in the United States. Casinos can — and do — ban counters from their private premises, but no law criminalizes the mental skill itself.
Colorado Once Made It Illegal to Catch a Drop of Rain — Here's the Truth
Colorado's notorious Prior Appropriation doctrine once made almost all rainwater collection illegal without a water rights permit. Since 2016, most residents can collect up to 110 gallons in two rain barrels — no permit required — but large-scale collection without authorization remains prohibited.
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