Things you won't believe are banned in the US.

 Things you won't believe are banned in the US.

1. Predicting the Future

In several U.S. states, fortune-telling, clairvoyance, and psychic predictions are considered illegal—unless clearly stated as entertainment. Laws banning future prediction aim to protect people from fraud, particularly when someone charges for these services. In places like New York City, psychics can practice if they post a sign clarifying it’s “for entertainment purposes only.” Go beyond that, and you could be fined or even jailed for claiming supernatural insight into someone’s future.

2. Toy Guns

Toy guns have faced bans and strict regulations across many U.S. states, particularly in public spaces. The reason is both tragic and understandable: several real-life incidents have occurred where police mistook toy guns for real firearms, sometimes with deadly consequences. To minimize the risk, toy guns must have bright orange tips and cannot resemble real weapons too closely. In some areas, even that isn’t enough, and they’re banned entirely.

3. Color Photocopying Money

It’s illegal to photocopy U.S. currency in full color and at actual size. The U.S. Secret Service strictly enforces this law to prevent counterfeit currency production. Even for artistic or educational purposes, reproductions must be smaller than 75% or larger than 150% of the original, and only one-sided. Violate that rule, and you could be charged with counterfeiting—even if your only intention was to make a cool poster.

4. Spanish Ham

Jamón Ibérico, a prized Spanish delicacy, has long been banned from entering the U.S.—or at least heavily restricted. The reason? The USDA has stringent import rules around meat products from Europe, particularly those not processed in approved facilities. Although some versions have made it through customs in recent years, true, acorn-fed Jamón Ibérico de Bellota remains hard to legally come by, thanks to concerns over disease and processing standards.

5. Eggs That Haven’t Been Stored in a Refrigerator

In the U.S., eggs are washed to remove bacteria from the shell, but this also strips away the natural protective coating. As a result, American food safety laws require eggs to be refrigerated immediately to prevent contamination. In contrast, many other countries don’t wash eggs and can store them at room temperature. Bringing in or selling unrefrigerated eggs in the U.S. can be illegal, depending on state laws and health codes.

6. Lawn Darts

Lawn darts—those heavy, metal-tipped missiles once used for backyard games—were banned in the U.S. in 1988 after causing numerous injuries and several fatalities, especially among children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission deemed them too dangerous for recreational use. While modern versions exist with blunt or weighted tips, the original metal darts are illegal to sell or import, and even owning them in some states can lead to fines.

7. Mailbox Vandalism

You may think breaking or tampering with someone’s mailbox is a minor offense, but it’s a federal crime in the U.S. Vandalizing, destroying, or even placing unauthorized materials in mailboxes without postage can result in hefty fines and even jail time. Since the mailbox is considered federal property once installed, any damage to it is handled seriously under federal postal laws.

8. High Heels

In certain U.S. cities, like Carmel, California, high heels over a specific height are banned without a permit. This quirky law was created to protect the city from liability lawsuits due to the uneven and historic cobblestone sidewalks. While rarely enforced, it technically means you need to apply for a permit to wear your Louboutins around town. It’s more about legal protection than fashion policing.

9. Confusing Turkey Ham with Ham Turkey

In the U.S., food labeling laws are surprisingly strict. You can’t market “turkey ham” as “ham turkey” or vice versa. The USDA mandates clear labeling so consumers aren't misled into thinking a processed turkey product is real pork ham. There’s even a rule that "turkey ham" must be labeled as “cured turkey thigh meat.” Sounds picky, but it’s all about food accuracy and avoiding consumer confusion.

10. Skydiving While Drunk

It should go without saying, but in the U.S., skydiving under the influence of alcohol is explicitly banned. Federal aviation regulations prohibit anyone who has consumed alcohol within 8 hours—or has a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or more—from skydiving. Beyond the obvious safety risks, skydiving companies can face serious legal consequences for allowing inebriated customers to jump from planes.

11. Haggis

Traditional Scottish haggis, made with sheep’s lungs, is banned from being imported into the U.S. due to a USDA regulation that prohibits the sale of food products containing lung tissue. Although American-style haggis exists, it’s a far cry from the real thing. The ban has long been a point of contention for Scottish expats and fans of the national dish who crave an authentic Burns Night supper.

12. Commiserating with Pirates

According to U.S. federal law, “commiserating with pirates” can land you in serious legal trouble. While this law sounds like it belongs in a pirate movie, it’s a real statute meant to criminalize any support or sympathy for piracy—whether aiding pirates, offering supplies, or showing public solidarity. The law is rarely enforced today but remains on the books, just in case you feel like befriending a modern-day Jack Sparrow.

13. Masks

In several states, especially in the South, anti-mask laws exist that ban wearing face coverings in public—outside of health mandates or religious exceptions. Originally created to deter KKK activity, these laws can still be enforced today, making Halloween costumes or protest gear technically illegal in certain situations. COVID-19 temporarily changed enforcement, but the laws remain in place in many regions.

14. Human Clones

The creation of human clones is banned by federal law in the U.S., and several states have their own prohibitions. While cloning animals like sheep and cats is allowed under strict regulation, human cloning is considered both ethically and legally off-limits. Concerns about identity, rights, and the implications of duplicating human beings have kept this technology firmly in the realm of science fiction—for now.

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