Sunday Liquor Sales Battle Continues

Louisville, Kentucky liquor stores will ask metro officials to allow them to sell wine and liquor on Sunday in the wake of a state decision not to fight a court ruling allowing those sales. The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled July 30, 2004 that local governments, not the state, can decide whether to allow the sale of packaged liquor and wine on Sundays.

Local Democrat Supports Free Trade
Tom Owen, D-8th, said he doesn't know if he would support Sunday sales. But he said he also doesn't see the logic of banning package sales while allowing liquor to be sold by the drink on Sundays.

"If you can buy a glass of wine at a restaurant, why is it so bad to be able to buy a bottle of wine at the store and take it home with you?" he asked.

Local Republican Supports Status Quo Trade Barriers
Doug Hawkins, R-25th, said he would oppose any change in the law, saying he believes the liquor stores should stay closed. Allowing them to open would likely cause an increase in drunken driving accidents, he said.

"That's the way people have had it for years. It's worked that way, and there has been no big problems with that," he said. He said buying a drink with dinner is different from buying a bottle of liquor, which he called "a party in a bag."

Metro Areas Only Please!
Which liquor stores would be allowed to sell wine and spirits on Sunday?

Kentucky County or city governments can pass ordinances allowing Sunday sales. Fifth- and sixth-class cities and counties without cities larger than fifth class are excluded. Those governments can set the hours that businesses could sell liquor and wine on Sundays.

Many States Moving Forward
Ohio's law allowing Sunday package sales will take effect later this month. Other states bordering Kentucky that allow Sunday package sales are Illinois, Missouri and Virginia.

However, the Sunday sales bills face major opposition from various special interests, including churches, convenience stores and the retail grocery industry. Critics say any plan to allow Sunday sales would open the door to more drunk drivers. Others argue it may have the opposite effect.

People can go to a bar now if they want to enjoy wine and spirits on Sunday, and this would give them the opportunity of going on home and drinking it and keep them off the roads.

In total, 31 states allow Sunday liquor sales in some form. In Oklahoma it's ok to sell beer but not wine on Sunday? Who came up this moronic law in the first place?

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