Not a very eventful day overall.
I have learnt that there is a Salmon Act in force in this country (from 1986) which prevents the handling of salmon suspiciously. Section 32 of the act describes the sanctions and potential offences…
Anyway, this got me thinking about other unnecessary laws.
- It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour (but only if you’re an MP. This is from the 1313 Statute Forbidding Bearing Of Armour and hasn’t been repealed.
- It was illegal not to carry out at least two hours of longbow practice a week. Sort of. T>he Unlawful Games Act 1541 required every Englishman between the ages of 17 and 60 (with various exemptions) to keep a longbow and regularly practise archery. However, it was repealed by the Betting and Gaming Act 1960.
- It is illegal to be drunk on licensed premises. Section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872… and under section 44 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, it is an offence for a publican to permit drunkenness or disorderly conduct on the premises. Again, under the Licensing Act 2003, it is an offence to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk, or to obtain alcohol for consumption by a person who is drunk.
- It is illegal to carry a plank along a pavement. Under section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, which also outlaws flying kites, playing annoying games, and sliding on ice or snow in the street.
- It is illegal to beat or shake any carpet or rug in any street. However, beating or shaking a doormat is allowed before 8am. Section 28 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 also outlaws keeping a pigsty in front of your house, slaughtering animals in the street, stringing a washing line across the street, singing profane or obscene songs or ballads in the street and playing knock down ginger.
None of these are mine. They are all from Googling and mostly from this legal myths page.
