Did you know that in South Carolina it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to play pinball?
This is just one of the Palmetto State’s odder regulations that is technically the law — others include restrictions on dancing and shopping on Sundays.
Let’s take a look at some of South Carolina’s strangest laws.
One of South Carolina’s strangest laws prohibits children from playing pinball. (iStock)
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- People under the age of 18 should not play pinball.
- Insincere proposals are prohibited
- The dance ends at midnight on Saturday.
- Silverware and other items cannot be purchased on Sundays
1. People under 18 should not play pinball
If you come across a pinball machine while strolling along a South Carolina boardwalk, you must be 18 or older to participate in this popular arcade game.
In South Carolina, under state Juvenile Code section 63-19-2430, it is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to play with a pinball machine.
This old law coincides with the time when the game was invented, when it was considered a form of gambling.
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This is still the law in South Carolina, but it is not widely enforced throughout the state.
2. No insincere proposals
Promising marriage to a woman for the purpose of seducing her is strictly prohibited in South Carolina, so much so that there is a law against it.
In South Carolina, you can’t commit to marriage unless you really want it, that’s the law. (iStock)
This law is found in South Carolina Statute 16-15-50. This law applies to men over the age of 16 and can be punishable by imprisonment for any violation.
“Any man in this state who is 16 years of age or older and who, by fraud or promise of marriage, entices an unmarried woman, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined or imprisoned for not more than one year, at the discretion of the court,” the law states.
3. The dance ends at midnight on Saturday.
If you love dancing the night away, don’t miss out on partying late in South Carolina.
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This will apply at least on Saturday, with dance venues across the state closing from 12 a.m. Saturday through Sunday.
The law can be found in Chapter 52 of the South Carolina Code, “Recreational and Athletic Athletics.”
In South Carolina, it is illegal for dance venues to be open on Sundays. (iStock)
Section 52-12-10 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to open, admit any person into, or permit any person to remain in any public dance hall owned or operated by him or her between the hours of 12 a.m. Saturday and 12 a.m. Sunday, and all such places shall be closed to the public and shall remain closed during such hours.”
Penalties for violating this law are a fine of $10 to $15 for a first offense, and a fine of $50 to $100 or 30 days in jail for a repeat offense.
Additionally, the location of dance halls is also regulated by South Carolina law.
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According to state law, it is illegal for a dance hall to be located within a quarter mile of any church or cemetery in the state. This law is found in Section 52-13-20.
4. Silverware and other items cannot be purchased on Sundays
If you’re in South Carolina on a Sunday and you need a shiny new silverware set, building materials or musical instrument to start a new hobby, unfortunately state law means you might not be able to get it.
The sale of certain products, including silverware, is prohibited on Sundays.
Article 53 of the South Carolina Code highlights regulations specific to Sundays, holidays, and other special days.
Pursuant to section 53-1-60, the sale of many items is prohibited on the first day of the week.
In South Carolina, many stores are closed on Sunday and in-store transactions are limited. (iStock)
The law prohibits the sale of “clothing and clothing accessories (except swimwear, novelty items, souvenirs, socks and underwear); household goods, ceramics, glassware, kitchenware, home, commercial or office furniture and appliances; tools, paint, hardware, building materials, lumber, jewelry, silverware, watches, luggage, musical instruments, recorders, recording equipment, radios, televisions, gramophones, record players or so-called hi-fi or stereo sets or equipment; sporting goods (except when sold on premises permitted for sporting events or recreational facilities), garden equipment or single items; automobiles, trucks or trailers.”
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Related to this law is the law 53-1-40 which states that “it is unlawful to work on Sunday.”
According to South Carolina law, “On the first day of the week, commonly known as Sunday, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any ordinary secular occupation, labor, or business, except essential business or charitable activities, or to sell or offer for sale, at retail or wholesale, any goods, products, or merchandise to any consumer, in public or private, or by telephone, or to employ any other person to engage in any occupation, labor, or business, or to sell or offer for sale any goods, products, or merchandise.”
