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Sunday, June 24, 2007

Tennessee Law Requires ID Checks for Beer Purchases

On July 1 it won't matter if you are 19 or 89 in Tennessee and try to buy beer in a grocery or convenience store. No ID, no beer.

Tennessee is the first state in the nation to require clerks to ask for identification from all buyers of beer at off-premise locations. Called the Tennessee Responsible Vendor Act, the bill is designed to cut underage drinking. Amazingly, the legislation does not cover the sale of wine or liquor. Beer sales at restaurants and bars are also not covered.

Some stores have already adopted the universal carding program. Forty-something men and women needing an ego boost may flock to Tennessee to buy beer, but it is no laughing matter for store operators. Tennessee has instituted a training program for store managers and clerks. Beer sellers face fines of $1,000 for each underage sales. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $2,500 and have their alcohol sales license suspended.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

STOP!
Another move towards total control.
Then you'll have to show ID
to buy milk...etc.

Anonymous said...

This law has nothing to do with reducing underage drinking. It's sole purpose is to cover the lazy ass of grocery and convenience store managers who will not train their employees properly. This law was enacted to ensure that Kroger did not get its beer license revoked.

Unknown said...

This is one of the stupidest things I EVER heard of- kids can get ahold of whatever they want to- this will hold up grocery lines even more.I won"t but it at those stores anymore !!! Leave it to Tn. to think of something like this-
Marliss

Unknown said...

this is the dummest law I EVER heard of- the kids can find ANYTHING they want- thought everyone knew that- this will just hold up the grocery lines even more !!! We"ll buy ours elsewhere--

Anonymous said...

I live in TN and have had recent experience with this law. I am a grandfather with graying hair who had not been carded in at least 25 years. I laughed the first time I was asked, thinking they had misinterpreted the law. But it is true. Can you imagine a 90-something on a walker having to dig for ID? This is without a doubt one of the most stupid laws ever passed (from a legislature with a proven track record for passing stupid laws). If you can boycott, do so. Some of us have no other choice but to protest (I have) to our "smart" legislators...

Anonymous said...

Really?! Is it really THAT hard to pull out a piece of plastic in the grocery line? On the topic of holding up lines, why don't you just present your ID with your discount card. If you know you're buying beer...have it ready. If this is the worst thing that happens to you then you're living a pretty good life.

Anonymous said...

..and the thing that angers me most? (This is for all you jumpy cashiers..) I (we) KNOW the @#$% law now.. Now PLEASE give me (us) the courtesy of enough time to actually show you my (our) ID before you ask? Especially when you can obviously see my (our?) hand already on the drivers license! OK? We all agree.. Yes, it's a stupid law.. but you don't make it harder to get used to than it already is.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that people can complain about something so petty. You can't change the law so just deal with it and show your id. People hold up grocery lines complaining and refusing to show their id when they can have it ready to show and go on about their day. Come on people, find something thats worth getting upset about!!!

Anonymous said...

i live in Tn, and I don't think this is that big of a deal. How hard is it to pull out your license to get beer? You need your license on you anyway to operate a vehicle. For god sake, I don't give a damn weather your 21 or 90 show some ID, or go the hell home and hope you don't get pulled over.

Anonymous said...

I wish Mr. Lyke would update this entry. I understand that the mandatory ID law for beer sales has changed in Tennessee. The original law had a sunset clause and the legislature did not renew it as it was.
It now is something like if you think the person looks 35 or younger, card 'em. I also agree with the person who said the law is to cover businesses who do not want to train their rude, lazy clerks so a blanket law, requiring Id is easier on them.

elphaba said...

This post is out of date. It needs to be updated because the law has changed. It had a sunset clause but the business owners do not want to acknowledge that because they are too lazy to train their lazy, rude clerks on how to properly ID.

elphaba said...

This entry needs to be updated. I believe the law has changed, that the original law had a sunset clause that lawmakers let lapse.
I also agree with another commenter that it is more for business owners who are too cheap and/or lazy to train their lazy and rude employees on how to properly ID customers.