By Andrea Pigneri
Most people are aware of the state law in Kentucky that it is illegal to purchase alcohol from stores on Sundays during certain times.
Yet why do bars, pubs, restaurants, and other places that serve alcohol get an exception to this rule? Why would any government want its people to drive out to get a drink, opening many doors to other common problems with alcohol?
There are many reasons to get rid of this worthless law. It was created as far back as 1885 and has since evolved to the law it is today, which for Louisville means that alcohol cannot be sold in stores from 12 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. on Sunday.
John Maier, night manager at Next Door Spirits said this evolution was a “compromise for Sunday licenses between the church and state.”
Maier also commented that this law was changed due to the discrimination against stores, because other facilities, like bars, were still allowed to serve on Sundays.
Currently, the law states liquor can be served from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and beer can be sold until midnight. Is Sunday not Sunday at different times? What is the point of creating such an arbitrary law?
In Kentucky, public places can serve alcohol as late as 4 a.m. depending on the license the business purchases. Since alcohol can be sold later at night in these public places, that is where most people go.
This opens doors to many other problems relating to alcohol.
Drunk driving, fights, rapes, assaults and other alcohol-aided crimes are more common in public places than when people are drinking at home or at another’s home with friends.
This is because fewer strangers would be interacting, there is a decreased chance of drunken driving because some people are already home and others can often stay the night.
There is also a demand from consumers to be able to purchase alcohol during times that it is restricted.
Often people are denied the opportunity to purchase alcohol to bring home from stores because it is too late to purchase it. Inevitably, these alcohol-seekers will find it in a bar which can be open several hours later.
While this may be beneficial to the tax revenue for the city, as alcohol from bars is typically more expensive than from stores, the dangers should be considered as well.
As Ashlee Wilkes, a Louisville resident said about the law, “That’s just stupid. When I want my alcohol, I want my alcohol.” Clearly, people would be appreciative of a change in the law.
Obviously the law prohibiting alcohol sales in stores, regardless of state, needs to be eliminated, or at least modified to coincide with the hours bars can sell alcohol. People should be free to purchase alcohol at anytime and be able to bring it home to enjoy. But since the law is the law for now, plan accordingly to buy your alcohol ahead of time – and be responsible about it.
