Worst Idea Since Billy Beer
New Ohio state law requires five-day waiting period for
buying beer (really!)
WASHINGTON, DC -- A new law in Ohio that requires a five-day
waiting period before buying beer -- yes, you read that correctly -- has
Libertarians wondering: How Lowenbrau can politicians go? "This is the
worst idea since Billy Beer," said Libertarian Party press secretary George
Getz. "We don't want to Harp on this, but beer-lovers everywhere will be
sadder, Budweiser, when they hear that politicians in Ohio plan to treat every
drinker like a criminal."
On Wednesday, August 9, a new Ohio law will require anyone
buying five or more kegs of beer to fill out a form with the Ohio Department of
Public Safety, and then wait five days before picking up the beer. The law,
dubbed "Five in Five," also gives law enforcement the right to search
the site of a beer party without first obtaining a search warrant.
Several other states -- including Iowa, New Hampshire, Kansas,
and Pennsylvania -- have similar laws or are considering similar legislation,
according to Fox News. And Maryland requires all kegs of beer to be registered
with the state government.
Politicians said such laws are necessary because some keg
parties have become violent -- but Libertarians said this kind of "Nanny
State" regulation just Foster's more disrespect for the law.
"Even the most Mooseheaded politician admits these laws
will have little effect, since people can just buy four kegs at a time at
different locations, or buy beer by the case," said Getz.
"The kind of irresponsible people who hold out-of-control
parties are the same people who will casually circumvent this law, while
law-abiding, responsible people will be inconvenienced. It shouldn't take a
Pabst Blue Ribbon panel to figure that out."
The Ohio law is especially disturbing because it requires
people to give up their Constitutional protections against unreasonable search,
he said.
"The Fourth Amendment shouldn't be revoked simply because
you want to have a wedding party, or a family reunion, or a neighborhood block
party that includes kegs of beer," said Getz. "America's Founding
Fathers like Sam Adams would never have stood for such a law."
Instead of targeting everyone, the police should focus just on
those irresponsible drinkers who commit crimes, he said.
"If law-abiding adults are enjoying a legal beverage and
behaving responsibly, they should not have to worry that police will suddenly
show up and demand to search the place," said Getz. "Law-abiding
people should not be treated like drunken criminals."
Ohio residents should contact their legislators and demand the
repeal of this law, he said -- before it foams over to other states.
"This is a Busch-league law, and it needs to be
repealed," said Getz. "This is a Molsen Golden opportunity for Ohio
residents to stand up for liberty."
NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20037
World Wide Web: http://www.LP.org
For release: August 9, 2000
For additional information:
George Getz, Press Secretary
Phone: (202) 333-0008 Ext. 222
E-Mail: pressreleases@hq.LP.org
The Libertarian Party http://www.lp.org/
2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 100 voice: 202-333-0008
Washington DC 20037 fax: 202-333-0072
TOP
