Iowa, the Hawkeye State, is known for its beautiful cornfields, friendly people, and delicious pork tenderloin sandwiches. But did you know that Iowa still has some bizarre laws on the books that are still being enforced? These laws might have made sense in the past, but today they seem downright ridiculous. Here are three comically outdated laws that are still on the books in Iowa:
- It’s illegal to kiss for more than five minutes
Yes, you read that right. In Iowa, it is illegal for couples to kiss for more than five minutes. According to Iowa law, any couple caught kissing for longer than five minutes could be charged with a misdemeanor offense. The law was put in place in the early 1900s to prevent immoral behavior in public places. However, in modern times, the law seems quite outdated and impractical. How can anyone time their kisses and make sure they don’t go over five minutes? This law is rarely enforced today, but it is still technically on the books.
- One-armed piano players must perform for free
In Iowa, if you’re a one-armed piano player, you must perform for free. According to Iowa law, any one-armed pianist who is hired to perform in public must do so without receiving payment. The law was put in place in the early 1900s, when one-armed piano players were considered to be freaks and were often hired as entertainment in circuses and sideshows. The law was meant to protect them from being exploited and forced to perform against their will. However, today the law seems quite strange and unnecessary. One can only wonder how many one-armed piano players are actually living in Iowa and if they are aware of this law.
- It’s illegal to catch a fish with your bare hands
If you’re an avid fisherman in Iowa, you might want to think twice before trying to catch a fish with your bare hands. According to Iowa law, it is illegal to catch a fish with your hands, feet, or any part of your body other than a fishing pole or line. Violators of this law could be charged with a misdemeanor offense. The law was put in place to prevent fish from being caught in an inhumane or unsporting way. However, today the law seems quite outdated, as it’s rare for anyone to try to catch a fish with their bare hands. It’s unclear how often this law is actually enforced, but it’s still technically on the books.
Iowa may be a wonderful place to live, work, and play, but it also has some strange laws that might leave you scratching your head. From limiting kisses to five minutes to requiring one-armed piano players to perform for free, Iowa’s outdated laws are sure to make you laugh. While some of these laws may have made sense in the past, they seem quite silly today. But who knows, maybe someday someone will break one of these laws and end up in court. In the meantime, let’s just enjoy Iowa’s beauty and ignore these comically outdated laws.
Clusterado 
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