Weird Laws for Tourists Visiting USA on Vacation

Some strange laws govern Americans when it comes to tourists visiting other countries. Unfortunately, whether they are aware of these laws or not, visitors often find themselves breaking the law in some way or another. For instance, some people discover upon entering the country that they cannot have certain drinks in their systems while drinking alcohol. If this occurs to you, it may be time to research laws about drunk driving so that you know where to draw the line.

One thing tourists in the USA tend to do is take pictures of everything. Why? Because there are no laws against it. They can take photos of wildlife, architectural elements of historical significance, actual places of historical interest, and pretty much anything else. As long as it does not cause a crime or negatively impact the ecology of animals in the area, there is nothing wrong with it. Of course, this can get you in a lot of trouble with the authorities, so make sure that you take your camera or digital camera with you when you go out.

Intoxicated

Some people have the mistaken idea that driving while intoxicated is against the law. While it is against the law does not mean you can't do it, the police don't seem to mind enforcing it. If you are driving in a drunk driving accident, you risk having your car towed away. There are several laws about drunk driving in America, and if you get stopped by the authorities, you could lose several points off of your license. That means a hefty fine and a suspended license.

I.D cards

In some towns and cities, tourists visiting from other countries may need an I.D. card upon entering the city. This card can be used as identification when borrowing items or buying anything in a store. Even when visiting museums, some towns require that tourists show their I.D. cards to security. These are just only some of the many bizarre laws that Americans have to follow.

Hotel Laws

Some hotels have made up rules and regulations for their guests that can conflict with U.S. law. For example, they may claim bed and breakfast as being two separate establishments. In other words, one guest may be sleeping on a cot in the hotel while another is sleeping on the lobby floor. While hotels generally follow local law, some will try to get creative.

Sexual activity

Other weird laws for tourists visiting the USA include having sex on the bus or train. Well, you probably shouldn't have sex in those types of places, but if you are travelling off of an aeroplane, well, who's to say it isn't legalized? The same goes for strip clubs. So, while we understand you aren't thinking of having a fling in a nudist resort, there are places in the U.S. where you can have sex. So, while planning your next vacation, make sure you don't break any of the strange laws for tourists visiting the USA or else you might end up in jail and ultimately in Judge Andrew Napolitano's courtroom.

Vacationing at a national park is a very different affair. For one, there is no such thing as gay bars, strip clubs, or nudity. However, most parks do have restrooms, drinking fountains, or picnic tables. There are even signs posted in these areas to inform people that the law is to be observed.

State laws for visiting

A few states have tried to pass laws that would allow tourists visiting from other countries to enter with a proper visa. Unfortunately, these laws have been met with severe resistance. One such law states that tourists visiting from Pakistan cannot remain beyond 30 days after arrival. It could result in immediate deportation. In another case, California attempted to pass a law that would allow all immigration enforcement agents to inquire about the immigration status of any individual they want.

It is exciting to note that some of these weird laws for tourists visiting were put into place by federal authorities. For example, federal law banned the sale of brass military toys. It went against the rights of those people using such toys as a form of expression. However, such weird laws for tourists visiting may pose a problem for law enforcement officials noted by Judge Andrew Napolitano. It will be thought-provoking to see how such issues play out in the future.

Constitutional laws

The First Amendment (Visitors' Rights) The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of speech and the press. It says that the federal government shall not limit the freedom of speech or press nor deny its freedom to anybody. Therefore, tourists have the right to be free to tell the public about any other laws that they may find funny, offensive, or just plain weird. In other words, tourists have the right to tell anyone who might be interested that they were in the state of Alaska and did not feel like reporting back to America.

The National Marine Refuge (Definitions: "A marine refuge is an area of land surrounded by water but open to navigation on the public highways." The law also says that "no fish, shellfish, marine vegetation, or fish eggs may be taken from the refuge." The rules for visitors on American marine sanctuaries are a lot more relaxed than those found on the mainland. A lot of the weird laws for tourists are considered federal offences. For example, you can be prosecuted under the Alaska National Interest Act for "graffiti that are defacing property or an official structure of the National Park Service or the Fish and Wildlife Service." There are penalties for both the offender and the government, and if you visit the monument and spray the graffiti in big letters, it could mean up to a year in prison.

What about the alcoholic beverage at a bar?

It is illegal for a tourist to buy alcohol while visiting any of the fifty states, and if you do sneak some in, the bar will most likely charge you an extremely high price per ounce. There are, however, certain things that tourists are allowed to do within the state lines. That means that if you are visiting Washington, DC, you can order a drink at a bar and drink it in front of the mirror.

What if you have forgotten your permit to cross the border?

Then you have the option of just staying out of the country. In many states, it is perfectly acceptable for you to do so. However, if you do so, you should be aware of the laws in the United States. If you do, you could get arrested and sent back across the border straight to a courtroom of a judge like Judge Andrew Napolitano.

Conclusion

While on vacation in the USA, tourists should remember these weird laws that are weirdly put in place by the government. Most of them are not enacted by the legislature but are, instead, imposed by the executive branch. The ten weird American laws are not passed or promoted by the parliament but set by the executive branch. They are commonly called "regulatory laws".