Connecticut Dumb Laws

Pickles Must Bounce 

If you’re on the hunt for weird Connecticut laws, you’ll likely come across claims that the Constitution State is home to a law requiring that pickles bounce. We’ll cut to the chase: There is no such law. There was, however, “the case of the pickles that wouldn’t bounce,” according to a report.  
 
The 1948 case, believed to be the origin of the bogus pickle law, involved two men who were charged with selling pickles unfit for human consumption. Laboratory tests found the pickles to be “putrid, decomposed and containing rat-tail maggots.” One official suggested an additional test, saying that a pickle dropped from a foot high should bounce. When a sample of the suspect pickles were thus tested, they splattered rather than bounced. 

Dumb Laws Coming Soon

It is unlawful in Connecticut for any person, organization or agency to “release into the atmosphere” ten or more “helium or other lighter than air gas balloons” in a 24-hour period. Violators of the law, which is aimed at protecting wildlife, face a fine. Source 

Silly String Restrictions 

Alcohol, tobacco, firearms – there are many products that have age restrictions. In Meriden, Connecticut, you can add Silly String to the list. The city prohibits the sale of aerosol cans “from which string-shaped foam-like material may be sprayed” to minors, unless the kids are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Furthermore, shops must keep Silly String locked up (or behind the counter). Finally, “no peddler or itinerant or transient business … shall offer Silly String or like products for sale.” Violators of this silly Connecticut ordinance face a citation and fine. Source