Curious: What are Blue Laws and Do They Still Exist in Michigan?

Considering Michigan became a state in 1837, it may not surprise you some very strange laws were created over time.

Some laws were not all that strange, but eventually became known as "Blue Laws."

See Also: Is it legal to straddle a crosswalk with your car, in Michigan?

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Weird Laws Around Michigan

Some "back-in-the-day" laws seemed rooted in concern or necessity at the time like:

• In Niles, MI you have to exit your vehicle on the sidewalk side.
• It is illegal to tie an alligator to a fire hydrant in Detroit.
• It is prohibited to smoke in bed in Sault Ste Marie, MI.
• A woman is not permitted to cut her own hair without the consent of her spouse.
• It's against the law to scowl at a woman, in Detroit.
• In Kalamazoo, it's against the law to "sing to your sweetheart."

What's the old saying... something must have happened or there wouldn't be a warning or law?

What are Blue Laws?

Blue Laws, aka "Sunday Laws," restrict various activities on Sundays in some states.

Stores were closed. Businesses were not allowed to operate. Certain items like alcohol could not be sold... all in the name of "a day of rest." No "Sunday Funday" or football for you.

Blue Laws also became associated with religion as people would attend church on Sundays and wanted the time to do so without having to work.

Does Michigan still have Blue Laws?

We still have one "Sunday Law" on the books in the Mitten state:

• In 1953, a law was created no longer allowing the sale of motor vehicles on Sunday. (There are some loopholes.)
• Until 2010, alcohol sales were banned every Sunday from 2am until 12 noon, if cities chose to partake, that is. Flint is just now deciding whether or not to allow alcohol sales starting at 7am on Sunday.
• Until 2003, hunting wasn't allowed on Sundays in some lower peninsula counties.

Curious about some barber shops or salons being closed on Sundays & Mondays? Those are not lingering "Blue Laws," but traditional, well-deserved days of rest.