EDITORIAL: Study alcohol sales carefully

Seventy-five years have passed since the repeal of Prohibition, but one of the most powerful blue laws remains.

Want to drink in a bar or restaurant on a Sunday? No problem. Want to take home a six-pack? Problem.

Indiana still doesn't allow take-out sales of alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

A legislative panel is looking at whether to recommend eliminating that restriction.

It's a multifaceted issue, which is why the ban has remained in place for so long.

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices is pushing an online petition, for whatever it's worth, in support of ending this prohibition. So far, according to the group's Web site, more than 20,000 Hoosiers have electronically signed the petition.

That group calls itself "a statewide, grassroots coalition of Indiana citizens," but it's no secret that it draws its support from the owners and operators of convenience stores and others who would benefit from a repeal of the law.

Owners of liquor stores tend to be skittish about the ideas percolating before the Indiana General Assembly's Interim Study Committee on Alcoholic Beverages.

Sales of alcoholic beverages are currently allowed by the drink in restaurants, bars, taverns and private clubs. Allowing take-home Sunday sales would allow businesses to profit from additional sales.

Many sports fans heading to Sunday events like Super Bowl parties or Indy 500 gatherings would appreciate this option.

State law also prohibits take-out sales of cold beer throughout the week, except at liquor stores. This, too, is also fair game for discussion as the commission reviews options.

Easing restrictions pits one type of business against another, as liquor stores would face more competition and increased costs.

Groceries and convenience stores wouldn't have to change their hours for Sunday sales, but liquor stores, now closed on Sundays, would have to pay staffing and other costs of operating an additional day each week.

Proponents of lifting the bans on Sunday sales and cold beer sales say Indiana would see additional tax revenue as a result.

That needs to be weighed against the social costs that increased availability of alcohol might bring.

Would the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents increase? Would violent crimes increase? Would substance abuse problems grow?

The legislative panel must gather all the facts and carefully weigh the potential revenue against the potential danger that an extra day of readily available alcohol might bring.

Is increased convenience worth increased danger? That decision, either way, must not be made without due deliberation.

Your opinion, please

Should Indiana allow take-home sales of alcohol on Sundays? Should sales of cold beer be restricted to liquor stores?

Share your thoughts at http://nwi.com/opinion