Odd Laws Still on the Books
Masks outside Mardi Gras, gold teeth for teens and a banded pigeon: real Louisiana sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
Who handles this in Louisiana: Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Louisiana directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawA mask in public | What it saysNo one may wear a mask, hood or disguise in public to hide who they are, except children on Halloween, Mardi Gras parades and masking the local authority permits, masquerade balls, religious veils, motorcyclists and medical masks. | Breaking itSix months to three years |
| The lawGold teeth | What it saysNo one may put a gold filling, cap or crown on anyone under eighteen without a parent's or guardian's consent. | Breaking it$500 to $5,000 |
| The lawA venomous pet | What it saysNo one may sell any kind of poisonous reptile to a minor. | Breaking itUp to $100, up to six months, or both |
| The lawA banded pigeon | What it saysNo one but the owner may kill, wound, catch or keep a racing pigeon wearing a metal leg band. | Breaking it$25 to $100, ten to thirty days, or both |
| The lawFeeding a bear | What it saysNo one may feed a wild bear. The first time brings only a warning ticket. | Breaking itA class two violation after that |
Many laws that sound strange are parish or city ordinances rather than state law; this page covers only the Revised Statutes. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Louisiana attorney.
Sources for this section (5)
- La. R.S. 14:313 — Wearing of masks, hoods, or other facial disguises in public places prohibited
- La. R.S. 14:93.2.2 — Unlawful placement of gold fillings, caps, and crowns; minors
- La. R.S. 14:91.21 — Sale of poisonous reptiles to minors; penalty
- La. R.S. 56:122 — Carrier pigeons, killing or catching when banded prohibited; penalty
- La. R.S. 56:291 — Feeding of wild bears prohibited
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Louisiana attorney.