Law and order are important to society, of course, but some of the laws that are out there are just plain odd. Some of these weird laws in West Virginia made sense for their time and just need an update; others are so peculiar that it makes you wonder what sort of event inspired their existence. Here are some of the strangest laws in West Virginia.

1. Whistling underwater is prohibited.
HA! Designs - Artbyheather / Flickr
We can't imagine why this law ever would have been needed.
2. When a railroad passes within 1 mile of a community of 100 or more people in it, they must build a station and stop there regularly to pick up and drop off passengers.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad/Facebook
You can check out if this is enforced by going on one of the great train rides in West Virginia.
3. Roadkill may be taken home for supper.
Anders Steen Nilsen / Flickr
This law is celebrated with the annual Roadkill Festival in Marlinton.
4. It is illegal to snooze on a train.
Frank Busch / Flickr
You'll probably find that this is not enforced, but you won't want to snooze on any of West Virginia's scenic train rides.

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5. A tax of 1 cent is levied for every 16 and 9-ounce container of coke sold in a store.
Mike Mozart / Flickr
This law is still in effect, but strangely specific.
6. A person may not hold public office if he or she has ever participated in a duel.
WikiMedia Commons
We suspect this issue doesn't come up very often these days.
7. For each act of public swearing a person shall be fined one dollar.
WikiMedia Commons
It's basically like your mom's swear jar.
8. One may not walk a lion, tiger, or leopard, even on a leash.
Mathias Appel / Flickr
This law is specific to the city of Alderson, so feel free to walk your tigers elsewhere. Now we know you are pretty upset that you can no longer walk your tiger in Alderson, but there is no need to fill the swear jar.

How many of these weird laws in West Virginia have you broken? Perhaps there are other funny laws in West Virginia you’ve heard about. If so, share them in a comment. For more about life in West Virginia, check out the 13 best decisions you can make in West Virginia.

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More weird West Virginia laws

Chris Muras | January 04, 2023

What are some funny laws in West Virginia?

Every state has its oddities and state laws can be made for the strangest reasons. Some really old laws even sound like they would be impossible to enforce because every one of us breaks them on a daily basis. Here are a few weird laws in West Virginia, current and past, that you might not know about:

1. No wearing a hat in a theater. This one actually sounds pretty good, at least back in the day when the guy in front of you is wearing a 24-inch top hat that prevents you from seeing anything.

2. No unauthorized flags. You cannot display, or own even, a red or black flag, or any flag for that matter with a symbol that goes against the spirit of the constitution either national or state. That means the Mickey Mouse flag you got at Disneyland will get you thrown in the clink.

3. No flirty firemen. It is illegal for firemen to flirt. Sorry, ladies. Well, actually there is more to the story. It is illegal for them to whistle at or flirt with women who pass by the fire station - so as long as you don't walk past the fire station…

4. No "lewdly associating." If you are unmarried and living together, you'd better be careful not to associate overly aggressively… Who had the job of policing that one?

5. No funny priests. No clergy member can tell jokes at the pulpit during a church service. Way to suck all the fun out of attending mass. As long as they step away from the pulpit though…

How do you whistle underwater?

First off, if you are in West Virginia do not attempt this at all costs. Due to some weird WV laws around whistling underwater, you might face some hefty fines. Second, it is imperative that you do not try to whistle by sucking air into your mouth, because, well obvious reasons. Third, why are you trying to whistle underwater in the first place? Don't you know it hurts the poor dolphin's ears?

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