Oregonians lose it when they realize they might have to start pumping their own gas

New Jersey and Oregon are the only states with laws prohibiting self-service gas stations. New Jersey and Oregon are the only states with laws prohibiting self-service gas stations. Photo: Alex Von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Alex Von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 77 Caption Close Oregonians lose it when they realize they might have to start pumping their own gas 1 / 77 Back to Gallery

Of all the new laws going into effect Monday (legal cannabis in California, higher minimum wages in several states, and many more), you may be surprised about which one drew the most backlash online. It appears to be Oregon House Bill 2482, which allows people who live in counties with 40,000 residents or less to pump their own gas.

Oregonians aired their frustrations on Facebook over the new law. And just about everyone else in the country made fun of them.

"I don't even know HOW to pump gas and I am 62, native Oregonian.....I say NO THANKS!" said Sandy Franklin on Facebook, in response to a post by local news station KTVL that asked for viewers' opinions on the new law.

"Many people are not capable of knowing how to pump gas and the hazards of not doing it correctly. Besides I don't want to go to work smelling of gas when I get it on my hands or clothes," wrote Tina Good.

Mike Perrone said he's been living in Oregon his whole life and refuses to pump his own gas. The reason?

"I had to do it once in California while visiting my brother and almost died doing it."

Read some of the most popular reactions in the slideshow below.

Some Oregonians aired their frustrations online over a new law that allows some residents in rural counties to pump their own gas. Some Oregonians aired their frustrations online over a new law that allows some residents in rural counties to pump their own gas. Photo: Screenshot Via Facebook Photo: Screenshot Via Facebook Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Reaction to Oregon gas pump law 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Commenters from around the country responded to Oregonians' concerns, making fun of their innocence (or ignorance, depending on how you look at it) and calming their fears of a Zoolander-style catastrophe.

"I cannot believe 2018 is gonna be the year I make a fortune moving to Oregon to teach people how to pump gas," wrote one person on Twitter.

To be clear, the new law only applies to the 15 least-dense of Oregon's 36 counties and it doesn't even force residents in those areas to pump their own gas. It simply gives them the option to.

Some gas station managers told the Bulletin their attendants would continue servicing patrons' cars just as they've been doing in the state since 1951.

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"Our regular, longtime customers love coming here and talking to us while we pump their gas," said Shelby Perkins, a cashier at a 76 gas station in Prineville.

She added that she wasn't sure regular customers even knew how to operate the pumps. It appears she was, at least in some cases, right.

Oregon is one of two states that doesn't allow self-service gas stations (aside from this newly passed exception). The other is New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.