What is the most extreme difference in the law on the same thing in two different states that you know about?

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Ghoulish_kitten@reddit

Legalized sex work, alcohol allowed on the street, gun use in Nevada and right over the line in Reno Lake Tahoe area you’re in California.

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link2edition@reddit

Firearm laws can vary significantly, even between states that tend to vote for the same party.

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Gonna_do_this_again@reddit

Texas - have all the guns it's fine

Virginia got rid of state preemption so we have to track 133 possible differences in gun laws within the state.

In our capital city of Richmond we cant posses a gun when adjacent to an event that should otherwise have been permitted.

That was fun during the impromptu marches in support of Ukraine at the offset of the war. We stopped at a 7-11 after skeet shooting and watched a parade going by. Technically we were breaking the law.

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molten_dragon@reddit

Michigan recently passed a law banning possession of firearms within 100 yards of any polling place, early voting site, absentee ballot drop box, city or township clerk office, absent voter counting location, or any location being used to process ballots within the 40 day period prior to an election.

Fun fact: Vermont has never required a permit to carry.

Firearm laws are weird.

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Washington should take a page out of the NH playbook. Because of the lower cost of socialized alcohol in NH, MA used to station police in the NH state liquor store parking lots (some 40 years ago), and follow the MA plates back to MA for illegally importing. So NH started charging those liquor police with loitering.

Or at least I’ve heard that anecdotally. I’ve never seen it confirmed authoritatively.

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wiserTyou@reddit

I'm guessing it's more of a game between them. MA state troopers absolutely sit on the border. Generally they're looking for cigarettes or fireworks these days.

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WesternTrashPanda@reddit

I grew up in that area. Idaho was one of the last states to bump the drinking age to 21 (and only did it under financial threat from the feds)....

There are 2 universities, 7 miles apart, just across the state line. For awhile, WA was rolling in the DUI cash.

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Riot_Squirrel@reddit

I think the title loans were either illegal or just strongly discouraged in the state-line-border county I was living in (in FL) because you’d cross into Alabama and it was seriously two porn stores, a title loan place, two fireworks stores, and ANOTHER title loan place IMMEDIATELY all next to/across from each other right on the Alabama side.

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TheKiddIncident@reddit

Prostitution and gambling are legal in Nevada (20 miles from my house) but illegal where I live in California.

Fireworks. In SC almost anything is legal. In NC nothing fun is (sparklers and the black pellet snakes are about it)

I would hope not, but people who like to bitch about California like to say our income tax rate is whatever the top tier is.

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Different_Bridge_983@reddit

OTOH, Texas property taxes can be wild compared to a lot of places.

Years back I was looking at a transfer to Texas and as part of my research looked at cost of housing. The sticker price was about half my then residence, but property tax percentages were almost double, wiping out most of the savings, and then home insurance rates were waaaay higher.

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seatownquilt-N-plant@reddit

I got into watching r/Texas after that big freeze thing. Then I learned about routine arguments with county assessors re: property tax. In casual conversation this is not something that comes up in my area of WA.

Shit rolls downhill. There's a lot of folks "downhill" in Texas.

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blixxic@reddit

NH has no sales tax AND no state income tax! Tax shock is big if you're from NH moving to most other states.

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Taira_Mai@reddit

Pennsylvania and Ohio say HI! Some of the most complex local taxes in the nation.

In PA if you live in one area and work in another there has to be a calculation to determine how much is paid to the area worked in.

GrimSpirit42@reddit

The one that surprised me is when I drove through New Jersey and found it’s illegal for me to pump my own gas.

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Abortion is legal in some states and illegal in most others, even if the pregnant person’s life is at risk.

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ComprehensiveCoat627@reddit

In what state is it illegal if the mother's life is at risk?

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artemisinagayway@reddit

Basically every state in the South currently since there’s no definition of what the mother’s life at risk means. A doctor who determines that the mother’s life is at risk can still be prosecuted if family members report it claiming that the mother’s life wasn’t at risk.

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ComprehensiveCoat627@reddit

So what you're saying is actually NO state says it's illegal if the mother's life is at risk? It sounds like you're saying it is specifically carved out in the law that it is legal is the mother's life is at risk, it just isn't defined what that means. Is that right? Or are there states that the law states that abortion is illegal even if the mother's life is at risk?

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mythicalwolf00@reddit

My guy when the law has killed women because of a woman not being given treatment, and doctors have been prosecuted for offering treatment that was deemed to be supposedly unnecessary to save the mother's life (even if it was) then yes, the state DOES have a law that says its illegal even if the mother's life is at risk. Just cause the wording isn't specifically what you are looking for doesn't mean that isn't the intent.

Not to mention in NC where at any point past fertilization a woman can be sentenced to death if it is deemed she 'got in the way' of that those cells developing to pop out.

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ComprehensiveCoat627@reddit

Just cause the wording isn't specifically what you are looking for doesn't mean that isn't the intent.

I'm not sure how you can say it's the intent for abortions to be illegal to save a woman's life when a law specifically states that it is legal to save a woman's life. I'm still waiting for someone to name a state that doesn't specifically exclude saving a woman's life from a law banning abortions.

Not to mention in NC where at any point past fertilization a woman can be sentenced to death if it is deemed she 'got in the way' of that those cells developing to pop out.

That is demonstrably untrue. NC's current law states that abortions are lawful in the first 12 weeks, before 20 weeks in cases of rape or incest, before 24 weeks if the baby has a life limiting anomaly, and when there's a medical emergency as determined by the doctor. Here's the exact text:

"90‑21.81B. When abortion is lawful. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of G.S. 14‑44 and G.S. 14‑45, and subject to the provisions of this Article, itshall not be unlawful to procure or cause a miscarriage or an abortion in the State of North Carolina in the following circumstances: (1) When a qualified physician determines there exists a medical emergency. (2) During the first 12 weeks of a woman's pregnancy, when the procedure is performed by a qualified physician licensed to practice medicine in this State in a hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or clinic certified by the Department of Health and Human Services to be a suitable facility for the performance of abortions, in accordance with G.S. 90‑21.82A or during the first 12 weeks of a woman's pregnancy when a medical abortion is procured. (3) After the twelfth week and through the twentieth week of a woman's pregnancy, when the procedure is performed by a qualified physician in a suitable facility in accordance with G.S. 90‑21.82A when the woman's pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. (4) During the first 24 weeks of a woman's pregnancy, if a qualified physician determines there exists a life‑limiting anomaly in accordance with this Article. (2023‑14, s. 1.2; 2023‑65, s. 14.1(c).)"

It's true that a single legislator has proposed a bill like what you describe, but it's not the law. And, as another legislator said, "Rep. Deb Butler from New Hanover County said the bill is designed to fight a culture war.

'I don’t think anybody takes it really seriously'"

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Mountain_Remote_464@reddit

Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Idaho (narrow life exception) Louisiana Mississippi New Hampshire (after 24 weeks) South Dakota Wisconsin (after 22 weeks)

These are the states with a life of the mother exception but not a health of the mother exception. That means they are required to wait until she is actively dying (not just that she has a complication that will lead to death or injury) before they can treat. This has led to women dying because “how sick is sick enough” is vague.

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mythicalwolf00@reddit

Just admit you hate women, bud. The way you are defending anti-women state laws is very clear. The evidence is MOUNTAINS high that these laws are in fact explicitly deadly to women and has directly caused womens deaths even when doctors think that a woman should get an abortion to save her life.

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sigusr3@reddit

If the end result is that doctors won't take a chance on performing an abortion, because of the combination of vague definitions and strict penalties, then *effectively* there is no carve out.

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ham_solo@reddit

Abortion to save the mother's life is illegal after 20 weeks in Indiana.

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ComprehensiveCoat627@reddit

Actually, Indiana law allows it after 20 weeks/viability both to save the mother's life and to prevent serious health risk:

(3) Except as provided in subsection (b) or as prohibited by IC 16-34-4, at the earlier of viability of the fetus or twenty (20) weeks of postfertilization age and any time after, for reasons based upon the professional, medical judgment of the pregnant woman's physician if:

(A) based on reasonable medical judgment, performing the abortion is necessary to prevent any serious health risk to the pregnant woman or to save the pregnant woman's life

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Minute-Of-Angle@reddit

This is typical of any controversial topic on the internet. People just say shit and it is accepted.

Reality is more nuanced.

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Nobody's lying. And I'm not saying that refusing abortions that would save the mother's life isn't happening. It clearly is and women have died. However, the law does specifically allow it. The hospital did not.

In interviews with seven doctors who worked in Arkansas, all said that no hospitals allow doctors to provide abortions for patients with “inevitable miscarriage” or PPROM without signs of infection.

As the doctors said, “no hospitals allow” it.

The sisters had the law’s exception language pulled up on a phone. It defined a medical emergency as “a condition in which an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by … a physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.” Waldorf’s case certainly counted

Hospital leaders and institutional lawyers are basically interpreting these laws so conservatively, and so worried about a criminal charge, that they have forgotten about basic professionalism values of healthcare,”

It's true that the hospital lawyer/risk management team read the law and decided to base their policies off of their interpretation of that. But that's what the hospitals chose to do. Ohio and Texas doctors made a different decision, Arkansas doctors chose to leave it to the lawyer

When Ohio was under a six-week ban in 2022 and 2023, a group of hospitals in one region gathered to hash out collective policies, including for miscarriages… So they resolved to interpret the vague law the same way: PPROM qualified as a medical emergency.

If the medical board in Arkansas could issue guidance about PPROM like the one put out in Texas, that would help enormously, doctors there told ProPublica.

The law is clear that abortions are allowed to save the life of the mother. That decision about what is a risk to the mother's life should reasonably be made by doctors, not lawyers or politicians, and the law allows that.

Mary Bentley, a Republican state representative and lead sponsor of the original ban, said she believes that the law does allow doctors to offer abortions to women with PPROM and that they do not need to wait for signs of infection. She said she is reaching out to the medical board to see if they can issue guidance similar to Texas’... “Medical decisions should not be made by lawyers,” she said.

It can both be true that the law permits abortions to save the mother's life, and hospitals, doctors, or lawyers have chosen to interpret that in a way that actually puts the mother at risk. As other states with similar language in the law have shown, they don't have to do that. And, at least according to this article:

none have been prosecuted for treating a miscarriage with a procedure that would be considered an abortion.

California: Notary MUST record the signer’s ID and get their thumbprint. Fines add up to $4000 if they don’t.

As someone who has never got a license. As a life long pedestrian I believe I should get to a paddle are the horrible people who abuse free right on red to be horrible car operators.

Do cops in those cities enforce no right on red if youre not messing with pedestrians? Or is it just a law/applied when almost hitting somone?

Go one mile east and you can buy a gun with just a license, open carry it with zero oversight or training, yet watching porn or smoking a joint will land you in jail.

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Yup that's what I mean, it was surprising that what is arguably one of the top 4 beer Mecca states didn't sell regular beer in grocery stores.

Oskar Blues is still around right? I just realized they're one of the brands that was everywhere here and then kind of dropped out.

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FineUnderachievment@reddit

Kind of. Monster bought the production/brewery side, and kind of raped it to do their own thing. As far as I know Dales pale ale is still in production, and widely available, but monster also makes their own malt beverages. The restaurant side wasn’t bought out, but has faced widespread closures due to a variety of issues

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GermanPayroll@reddit

Some states can kill people for committing crimes, others cannot. I think that’s a pretty stark difference imo.

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You can't rectify false imprisonment if the falsely convicted is dead.

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TheGrandAdmiralJohn@reddit

Yes you can’t rectify false imprisonment when the convicted is dead. Thats why most executions took 15+ years to happen after the initial sentencing. So the accused can fight for a lower sentence.

But with many places getting rid of the death penalty you know longer have one of the three core attributes of justice. That being fairness. If you sentence an 18 year old to 30 years in prison for murder he has a much higher than zero percent chance of dying in prison so if they injure or kill another prisoner or guard or even potentially a civilian than sentencing them to life is not a punishment, and taking away privileges would be like making a billionaire pay a fine for environmental damage their businesses caused. It’s simply a too lax punishment for the crime.

If you take away the ability for the body politic to fully execute the law to its fullest extent you effectively limit the justice all get from the system. It shouldn’t be the first punishment but it should always be an option.

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H3mpyGreen@reddit

I agree it’s a more digestible form, but I think that might be with good reason. The whole set up of our system I think we prioritize retribution more fairness. People’s definitions of justice are a wide spectrum so I won’t go into that for this comment

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Minute-Of-Angle@reddit

Right now the two obvious ones are marijuana and gun laws.

Also, gambling and some aspects of alcohol regulation.

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BunchofMums@reddit

Punishment for driving under the influence in a non commercial vehicle varies among states by quite a bit. Don't drink and drive, especially outside of your home state, because you're going to get consequences from both.

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ForestOranges@reddit

Half my friends caught DUI in my home state didn’t even go to jail. The cop took them to the hospital for a blood draw and then released them. Then you complete a first time offenders program where it gets removed from your record if you complete unsupervised probation. You can also pay the fines in interest free installments on a payment plan.

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You can get a criminal record for speeding 20mph over the limit In VirginIa.

Happened to my relative driving down to Florida in the wee hours of the night. They were doing 82mph in 60mph zone on the highway.

Was a huge ordeal because they could have lost their job, and really their whole career.

In our home state of New Jersey, this is a couple hundred dollar fine and maybe some points on your license, but if you don’t have regular violations they’ll let you plead out to careless which might be double the smallish fine and then you also don’t have your insurance rates increase like they would if points were placed on your license.

Big difference for first time offender.

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ggg943@reddit

There are big differences in requirements for homeschooling, like what kind of documentation and testing (if any) is required to prove that you are actually educating your kids to any common standard.

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MrBingly@reddit

Gotta say, the grammar fix on a comment about homeschooling is pretty funny

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cutezombiedoll@reddit

Guns, age of consent, cannabis are the three big ones. There’s also minimum age for marriage, some states will allow a child to marry even if they are bellow the age of consent so long as they have parental permission. Then there’s stand your ground laws/castle doctrine. Oh! And in many states sex education is not compulsory and in many more sex ed does not need to be medically accurate! New Jersey is, luckily, one of the few states where early, medically accurate sex education is required. Speaking of, different states have different laws regarding home school requirements.

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Perdendosi@reddit

In Utah, you can't buy a drink with hard alcohol with more than 1.5 oz of 80 proof liquor and 1 oz of lower proof "flavoring".

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thisisnotmath@reddit

What state is making it almost impossible to own a firearm?

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NekoMao92@reddit

Colorado has passed some new gun laws recently, which I expect to go to the SCotUS at some point.

From my understanding from a friend that works armed security (Federal contractor), he's not even sure if he can get new firearms as easy as it used to be.

From what he's said unless you are LEO, you have to jump through several hurdles now to even bother.

Can't even go to another state to buy a firearm or be gifted one by a relative in another state.

I haven't bothered to check because currently can't even afford getting a new firearm for target shooting, hunting, or self defense.

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MyUsername2459@reddit

California comes to mind.

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DieUmEye@reddit

There’s like half a dozen gun stores by my house in California. Anyone claiming that California is taking away guns (or whatever) is falling for or spreading propaganda.

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CleverHearts@reddit

Don't pretend California isn't doing everything it can to minimize firearm ownership in the state. You can't buy the most popular handguns in the US. You can't buy the US's most popular rifle in a standard configuration. You can't buy standard capacity magazines. You have to pay to take a test, pay for a background check, pay an extra tax, and wait 10 days. None of that achieves anything other than adding additional barriers to ownership.

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MyUsername2459@reddit

Note how they immediately tried to make a strawman argument out of what I said and jumped falsely claiming I was saying they were "taking away guns"?

Their anti-freedom arguments can't stand honest debate, so they have to rely on strawman arguments.

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MyUsername2459@reddit

So now you're lying and putting words in my mouth?

Where, precisely, did I say California was "taking guns away"?

I said they were trying to make it almost impossible to own a firearm. They have the strictest firearm laws in the country. The only reason they aren't stricter is that they'd violate the civil rights of Americans to do so, and the kind of laws they want to pass are explicitly unconstitutional.

In no state is it "almost impossible" to buy a firearm.

I know many gun owners in NY, across western, upstate, and long island.

My cousin lives in Massachusetts and he's a gun owner.

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Mysterious-Tie7039@reddit

Abortions. In places like Texas, the mother has to be almost dead before doctors can do a life saving abortion, even if it’s been known for months the fetus is non-viable.

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Midwesternsasquatch@reddit

Im from Wisconsin, infamous for alcoholism. We have the tavern league, huge lobbyists for anything about alcohol.

You see fairly often stories about people receiving their 10th+ DUI, often they will have their license revoked by then, but they still drive. Last time I checked, I think jail time isn't usually part of the sentence until your 3rd DUI. It seriously is not a big deal. But most other states take that very seriously.

I’m gonna go a level deeper here - the difference between neighboring counties.

Well, state law?

I mean, you can casually have open bottles in parts of New Orleans. But I'm sure that's a city thing. Then again, I'll bet there isn't anything like that in Mississippi unless it's an outdoor festival with clearly defined boundaries.

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