Every country has its own set of laws but some of the rules in America really confuse other people. Whether it’s the right to openly carry firearms or no legal guarantee of paid maternity leave, these laws seem rather unusual to outsiders. Here are twelve U.S. laws that just don’t add up for the rest of the world. What’s normal to us is utterly bizarre to them!
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The Right to Bear Arms
In America, the Second Amendment gives people the right to own & carry guns and lots of us see this as a fundamental freedom. However, people in the United Kingdom & Japan find this law surprising. Gun ownership is heavily restricted or outright banned in their countries so seeing how common firearms are is a major culture shock!
The Electoral College System
Electing the president through the Electoral College is something that confuses many people in the USA, let alone outside of it. Instead of counting up all the individual votes nationwide, the outcome depends on electors allocated to each state based on its population. A candidate can win the presidency without getting the most votes overall—which has happened! For people used to a simple majority deciding elections, such a system seems unfair.
Legal Drinking Age of 21
The legal age for buying & consuming alcohol in the U.S. is 21 which is higher than in many other countries. In many European countries, it’s 18—or even lower. It’s quite confusing for international visitors and especially since Americans can vote, drive cars & join the military at 18. How can you be an adult in most ways but not legally have a beer until you’re 21?
Civil Asset Forfeiture
In the United States, law enforcement may seize property they suspect is connected to criminal activity, even if the owner isn’t charged with a crime. This is known as civil asset forfeiture & it’s hard to understand for those from countries where the government protects their property rights. They can’t believe how much power the police have here—or how hard it is to get your stuff back when the law takes it.
The Death Penalty
In several U.S. states, capital punishment is still legal. Such a fact is quite unsettling for people from countries where it’s been abolished, like Canada & the UK. In fact, they can’t understand why our country continues to execute prisoners. Many Canadians, for example, see the death penalty as a human rights issue. They think such a practice is both outdated & harsh.
No Federal Paid Maternity Leave
Unlike many other countries, the U.S. doesn’t require employers to offer paid maternity leave at the federal level. Of course, some companies do provide it. But there’s no nationwide rule to give new mothers paid time off—that’s quite different from countries like Sweden or Germany. Over there, lengthy paid maternity (and even paternity) leaves are standard.
No Mandatory Paid Vacation
Likewise, the United States doesn’t require employers to give paid vacation days while workers in places like France or Spain often enjoy weeks of guaranteed time off each year. Most of us have to negotiate vacation time—if we get any paid days off at all. Naturally, it’s quite confusing for international visitors. They see regular time off as essential for a healthy work-life balance.
Strict Liability Dog Bite Laws
In many American states, if a dog bites someone, the law holds the owner responsible regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous or not. As such, they might have to cover medical bills and damages—even if the dog has never shown aggression before. Lots of other countries approach this differently. Their laws only hold owners liable if they were negligent or knew the dog posed a risk, which makes our strict approach quite confusing for them.
Jaywalking Laws
Crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks, known as jaywalking, is illegal in many American cities. In fact, you might even be fined for it! However, it’s mostly an American issue because pedestrians in most other countries may cross streets wherever they can. They can’t understand how something as simple as crossing the road could get you in trouble with the law.
Legal Corporate Lobbying
It’s completely legal for corporations to spend money to lobby politicians & influence legislation. We just accept it as part of the political process. However, people from countries with stricter rules on corporate influence often argue that this gives businesses too much sway over government decisions. They’re uncomfortable with how money plays such a big role in the law.
Felon Disenfranchisement Laws
Anyone convicted of a felony in America will lose their right to vote—sometimes permanently. Even after serving their sentences & returning to society, ex-offenders in certain states aren’t allowed to participate in elections. That’s quite different compared to many other countries. Over there, they see voting as a basic right that criminal convictions cannot take away.
‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws
Some U.S. states have ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws that allow people to use deadly force in self-defense without the duty to retreat, even if they could safely walk away. Of course, every country has a self-defense law. Yet places like the UK encourage avoiding violence whenever possible. The idea that you may legally respond with lethal force instead of backing off seems a little extreme to them.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.