6/9/2009

Restricting alcohol sales on Sunday and holidays defies common sense

End this antiquated

booze ban

Headhere

There are plenty of old laws that don't make much sense nowadays. Look no further than liquor ordinances for lots of examples.

Journal reporter Erin Mathews highlighted some antiquated statutes in a Journal story published Sunday. She reports that Abilene city commissioners have been asked for a new ordinance that would allow alcohol sales on Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4.

The effort comes from Abilene liquor store owner Dan Meysenburg, who told Mathews he once was opposed to Sunday and holiday sales, but changed his mind after seeing area towns pass ordinances allowing sales, including Herington, Solomon and Chapman.

Bans on Sunday and holiday sales are rooted in decades-old compromises between governing bodies and religious groups that lobbied to ban alcohol sales altogether. We understand some of the logic behind the agreements.

Banning Sunday sales is understandable from the Christian point of view, where the Scripture-designated day of rest extends to closing stores that peddle evil drink. But old statutes also demanded that stores and businesses close on Sunday. One couldn't even buy socks or groceries. Those restrictions seem silly today.

Another standing justification for closing liquor stores on Sundays and holidays is the notion that bans give communities and families a day off from alcohol-related crime and abuse.

But law enforcement officials tell us that banning Sunday and holiday liquor sales doesn't change behavior. The real drunks make sure they have plenty of stock going into Sunday.

As it stands now, folks that want a couple of adult beverages go to restaurants or clubs if they want a beer, glass of wine or margarita with their meals. It doesn't make sense when laws encourage casual drinkers to drive after drinking.

Abilene city commissioners would be wise to kill the liquor sales ban on Sunday and holidays. Salina city commissioners would demonstrate similar common sense by following suit.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

822-1491

tbell@salina.com

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