Did you know it's against the law in Arizona to have sexual relations with a rodeo clown in an elevator on Tuesdays?
No? That's probably because that "dumb law," like nearly every "dumb law" you've ever heard about Arizona, is complete horse shit. Check out 10 such laws that are attributed to Arizona's law books, which may have existed at some point long, long ago, but certainly aren't laws right now:
10.) In Tucson, it's illegal for women to wear pants
Actually, it might be considered illegal to not wear pants in Tucson. This "law," like all of the purported city-based laws on this list, have been debunked by state historian Marshall Trimble, and Arizona author John Neuner.
9.) In Globe, it's illegal to play cards with a Native American
Fake and racist.
8.) In Nogales, it's illegal to wear suspenders
Just, no. Nobody cares how you keep your pants from dropping to your ankles.
7.) It is illegal to hunt camels in the state of Arizona
There's actually a story behind this involving camels in Arizona, but there's no such law. However, it is actually kind of true, since any camel you find in Arizona is undoubtedly owned by a circus or zoo, so you'd just be murdering someone's camel.
6.) Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs
Again, there's also a story behind this one, but feel free to throw some pillows and a donkey into your bathtub, legally.
5.) Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is considered a felony
Arizona Revised Statutes show some arguably weird laws involving masks, but this ain't one of 'em.
4.) In Maricopa County, no more than six girls may live in any house.
Looks like someone needs to familiarize themselves with the county's zoning ordinances. Neither the zoning ordinances nor the rules on adult businesses make any such claim. Variants of this fake law are attributed to various states and locales.
3.) You may not have more than two dildos in a house
This is another one that just so happens to be attributed to places all over the country. Feel free to have dildos stacked to the rafters at your place.
2.) When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon that the other person possesses
It's a little ridiculous that anyone would even believe this, since there are frequent stories from around the state about people shooting home intruders. There are many situations in which you can shoot a burglar who's armed with nothing. This fake law is a kind of poor attempt to explain the use-of-force continuum, which isn't really the law around here.
1.) It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water
This is probably Arizona's biggest urban legend. Everyone just knows this one is true, but no one seems to be able to come up with the statute. Can you imagine the headline on that one? Phoenix man sentenced to prison for refusing to invite religious missionary into home for glass of water. There are plenty of Arizona laws about water, but nothing the mentions that the state is a free-for-all on glasses of water.
Send feedback and tips to the author.
Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.