Sunday alcohol sales should be allowed
Prohibition ended in 1933. It’s time Indiana got with the times. Several Indiana legislators met with citizens to discuss allowing Sunday take-out alcohol sales, which is strongly needed in Indiana. Sunday take-out alcohol laws, also known as "blue laws," have been around since the end of Prohibition. These laws allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol, but forbid take-out sales. Since 2002, 13 other states have repealed these laws. Indiana remains as one of 14 states that still has blue laws in effect. Every state bordering Indiana has no law about selling alcohol on Sundays: Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. Associated Press reporter Mike Smith reported Tuesday a coalition of grocery, convenience and drug stores consider Sunday the second busiest shopping day of the week. It would make sense, then, to allow alcohol sales, because with more people shopping, there’s ultimately a higher chance for sales. A downside is that being open for alcohol sales on Sunday will require extra costs. Smith also reported many liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays, would spend more money than they would bring in. College students consider Sunday to be a "recovery day," a day to relax. Students have classes on Monday, and most probably wouldn’t want to drink on Sunday night. This could force some hard times on locally-owned liquor stores around Franklin. Grocery stores and drug stores, however, would easily be able to absorb any other operational costs. This means Sunday sales of alcohol would benefit these groups. Many citizens living near the border can drive to a nearby state to get alcohol on Sundays if necessary. Smith reported that Grant Monahan, president of the Indiana Retail Council, estimates Indiana loses about $9 million in tax revenue each year because of alcohol bought in neighboring states. The Hoosiers for Beverage Choices coalition has already collected 35,000 signatures to help overturn the blue laws. We agree with the initiative being taken, and suggest repealing the blue laws.
