Cat Declawing Is Illegal — But Only in 7 States, Not All of America
Declawing cats is illegal in seven U.S. states and Washington D.C., but there is no national federal ban. The procedure remains fully legal across the majority of the country.
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In Ohio, Catching Catfish With Your Bare Hands (Noodling) Is Illegal
Ohio explicitly bans taking catfish, bullheads, trout, and salmon by hand (including noodling) statewide under the Ohio Administrative Code. Violations are a misdemeanor of the 4th degree, carrying up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
Boom Goes the Fishing Rod: Utah Bans Dynamite and Explosives for Fishing
Utah law explicitly prohibits the use of any explosive, chemical, or other destructive method to take fish or crayfish from state waters. The restriction is codified in the Utah Administrative Code and actively enforced by the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Flag Burning IS Illegal in the U.S. — Except the Supreme Court Says It Isn't
A federal law (18 U.S.C. § 700) makes it illegal to burn, mutilate, or desecrate the American flag — but two landmark Supreme Court rulings have rendered it nearly unenforceable as political protest, finding that such acts are protected symbolic speech under the First Amendment.
It's Illegal to Pick Texas Bluebonnets? Nope — Total Myth
Generations of Texans have grown up believing it is illegal to pick the state flower, the bluebonnet — but no such law exists. The Texas State Law Library, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Snopes have all confirmed this is a persistent folk myth.
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.
New York Was the First U.S. State to Ban Cat Declawing
It is illegal in New York State to declaw a cat for cosmetic or convenience reasons. The state became the first in the U.S. to enact such a ban when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation on July 22, 2019.
Dumpster Diving Isn't Federally Illegal in the US — But It's Complicated
There is no federal law making dumpster diving illegal in the United States. The 1988 Supreme Court ruling in California v. Greenwood actually established that discarded trash in public spaces has no privacy protection — but local ordinances in certain cities and counties can and do restrict the practice.
Yes, Burning Money IS Illegal in the U.S. — But There's a Catch
It is a federal crime to intentionally destroy U.S. currency under 18 U.S.C. § 333, which prohibits mutilating or defacing banknotes with the intent to render them unfit for reissue. However, the popular claim omits the crucial legal element of intent — accidental destruction is not a crime.
No, It's Not Illegal to Drive Barefoot Anywhere in the US
Despite being one of the most widely believed driving myths in America, it is perfectly legal to drive barefoot in all 50 U.S. states. No federal statute, state traffic code, or DMV regulation bans shoeless driving of a passenger vehicle.
Australia Does NOT Ban Rainwater Collection — It Actually Mandates It in Some States
The claim that collecting or storing rainwater is illegal in Australia is completely false. In reality, rainwater harvesting is legal across all Australian states and territories, actively encouraged by federal and state governments, and even mandatory for new homes in South Australia.
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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