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Blue Laws you've experienced first hand

Started by OCGuy81, February 19, 2015, 01:45:18 PM

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txstateends

Quote from: wxfree on February 19, 2015, 10:10:40 PM

Car dealers cannot be open both Saturday and Sunday (this may have been repealed; there was a proposal but I don't know if it passed).  A DFW area dealer years back advertised "Closed Saturday, Open Sunday" with emphasis on "Open Sunday" in the television commercials.  My guess is that they wanted to be one of a few dealers open Sundays.

Still in effect.  You can be open Saturday or Sunday, but not both.  The only recent state activity regarding sales has been Tesla trying to get Texas to allow sales of new cars in ways besides a dealership.  They've gotten nowhere so far.
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1995hoo

Quote from: NE2 on February 20, 2015, 10:00:08 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 20, 2015, 09:56:59 AM
I read a case once where a court ruled that saying "God damn it" was protected speech but "God damn you" was prosecutable, but I don't remember what the rationale was nor when it was decided.
"Fighting words".

That would be a logical theory, but I'm pretty sure that's not what the court cited. I think there may have been something about "God damn it" referring to an inanimate object or circumstances in general as opposed to calling for retribution against a person, but I don't recall for sure. It may have been decided prior to the "fighting words" jurisprudence. If I get a chance this afternoon I'll try to track down that opinion. I don't remember what court it was from, but I can probably formulate some relevant key words for use with legal research software. (I think I saw the case in my First Amendment class back in 1997, but I don't have the casebook anymore.)
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

txstateends

Quote from: dfwmapper on February 20, 2015, 05:31:42 AM
In Texas, it's technically illegal to promote or sell porn or sex toys, and having 6 or more toys is considered possession with intent to promote. The jokes about experiencing this "first hand" write themselves.

IIRR, they have to be called "novelties" or "novelty items" (something like that); they can't be openly marketed as what they really are.
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OCGuy81

Quote from: Concrete Bob on February 19, 2015, 11:00:02 PM
Back in June 2000, I took a four day road trip involving a big loop covering the Great Basin and the Pacific Northwest.  The first leg of the trip involved taking I-80 from Sacramento to Salt Lake City.  After checking into my hotel room near the Salt Lake Airport, I decided to go to the Phillips 66 across the street to pick up a six pack of beer.  I was amazed to find Leinenkugel (this was before it was acquired by budweiser), and felt like I struck gold. 

I bought my Leinenkugel back to my hotel room, filled the sink with ice cubes, iced the beer down and ordered in dinner from room service.  After four beers and 90 minutes, I realized that I wasn't experiencing "That Perfect Four-Beer Buzz."  I looked at the label on the Leinenkugel, and saw the "Alcohol 3.2 Percent by Volume" and remembered I was in Utah.  I finished the other two beers and went to bed with a nice "Three Beer Buzz-ette." 

I believe that any beer sold in Utah having more than 3.2 percent ABV has to be labeled as "STRONG" and can only be purchased from state-run liquor stores.  That law has probably changed with the rise of microbreweries over the past few decades.  I've had some wonderful microbrews from Utah that were in excess of 5.0 percent in recent years. 

On another occasion, I was assisting my brother-in-law move the last of of his belongings from McKinney, TX to California back in early September 2001.  We had packed everything into the moving van on a Friday morning, and then drove to some town west of Abeline along I-20.  We were preparing to check into a motel, when my brother-in-law asked the desk clerk where the nearest liquor store was.  The clerk replied that they were in a dry county, and that we would have to cross into the next county to get any alcohol. 

My brother in law told the clerk to cancel the room, and we proceeded to the next county for lodging and cold beers.

It's kind of fun to go to other parts of the country to experience things you don't find close to home due to some odd law.  I still think its kind of cool to go to Oregon and have someone pump your gas.  I almost feel as though I should give the person who filled up my tank a tip or something !!! : )         

I've gotten in trouble in Oregon before attempting to fill up my car in Medford before making the realization I'd crossed state lines.

Aren't motorcyclists allowed to fill up themselves?  And diesel? That always struck me as strange.

txstateends

Quote from: wxfree on February 19, 2015, 10:10:40 PM

I remember back in the 80s when non-food stores were closed on Sundays.  Supermarkets and convenience stores could be open, but couldn't sell most non-food items.  These days beer and wine can be sold Sundays after noon, but I don't remember if Sunday sales were banned years ago, or if they were considered food products allowed for sale.

I don't remember hearing of beer/wine bans on Sundays, just the current liquor sales bans.

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/20150212-wal-mart-sues-the-state-of-texas-seeks-chance-to-sell-liquor.ece
Walmart, though, is trying to get the state to change its laws about not allowing publicly-traded companies to have package store permits (which would allow them to sell liquor).  The company is also challenging the limit of 5 package store permits per retailer.
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1995hoo

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 20, 2015, 10:03:14 AM
Quote from: NE2 on February 20, 2015, 10:00:08 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 20, 2015, 09:56:59 AM
I read a case once where a court ruled that saying "God damn it" was protected speech but "God damn you" was prosecutable, but I don't remember what the rationale was nor when it was decided.
"Fighting words".

That would be a logical theory, but I'm pretty sure that's not what the court cited. I think there may have been something about "God damn it" referring to an inanimate object or circumstances in general as opposed to calling for retribution against a person, but I don't recall for sure. It may have been decided prior to the "fighting words" jurisprudence. If I get a chance this afternoon I'll try to track down that opinion. I don't remember what court it was from, but I can probably formulate some relevant key words for use with legal research software. (I think I saw the case in my First Amendment class back in 1997, but I don't have the casebook anymore.)

I dug around a bit and there are a couple of cases addressing this sort of issue. I don't remember which one I saw before, but the gist of the cases I found focused on profanity not being afforded First Amendment protection as free speech (this is one of those areas of law that has clearly evolved over time) and on the defendant being prosecuted for disturbing the peace.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

bandit957

I just love how the "limited government" types ban alcohol.
Might as well face it, pooing is cool

US71

Quote from: bandit957 on February 20, 2015, 11:23:21 AM
I just love how the "limited government" types ban alcohol.
Funny story about that, but I'll leave for another discussion. ;)
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Pete from Boston

You can't keep a horse on the second floor of an unsprinkled building in Mass., except in cities:

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter272/Section86

NE2

Some of these "CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDER" are rather strangely worded (in addition to being unenforceable):
http://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter272/Section18 (no sex outside marriage?)
http://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter272/Section34 (apparently refers to sodomy)
http://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter272/Section36 (I ain't afraid of no Holy Ghost)
pre-1945 Florida route log

I accept and respect your identity as long as it's not dumb shit like "identifying as a vaccinated attack helicopter".

nexus73

Quote from: bandit957 on February 20, 2015, 11:23:21 AM
I just love how the "limited government" types ban alcohol.

They also are in the forefront of MJ moratoriums and bans in Oregon.  Here's a bumpersticker I agree with: LEGALIZE ADULTHOOD! 

Rick
US 101 is THE backbone of the Pacific coast from Bandon OR to Willits CA.  Industry, tourism and local traffic would be gone or severely crippled without it being in functioning condition in BOTH states.

jeffandnicole

Quote from: nexus73 on February 20, 2015, 12:26:49 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on February 20, 2015, 11:23:21 AM
I just love how the "limited government" types ban alcohol.

They also are in the forefront of MJ moratoriums and bans in Oregon.  Here's a bumpersticker I agree with: LEGALIZE ADULTHOOD! 

Rick

Most limited government type people quickly point to the constitution as to their rights...or at least how they interpret their rights to be.  So they definitely want the government in their lives to allow them the rights our government has granted them.

wxfree

Quote from: txstateends on February 20, 2015, 10:05:18 AM
Quote from: dfwmapper on February 20, 2015, 05:31:42 AM
In Texas, it's technically illegal to promote or sell porn or sex toys, and having 6 or more toys is considered possession with intent to promote. The jokes about experiencing this "first hand" write themselves.

IIRR, they have to be called "novelties" or "novelty items" (something like that); they can't be openly marketed as what they really are.

This was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court, but unruled unconstitutional by a state court that somehow isn't under the federal appeals court jurisdiction.  It's confusing.  There's a Wikipedia page about it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_obscenity_statute

"The state also argued in a brief that Texas has legitimate "morality based"  reasons for the laws, which include "discouraging prurient interests in autonomous sex and the pursuit of sexual gratification unrelated to procreation." "

This wasn't in the 1800s, it was in 2008.  Anti-masturbation and anti-recreational sex sentiment survived in Texas law into the 21st Century.
I'd like to buy a vowel, Alex.  What is E?

froggie

Back on topic, Picayune, MS and Poplarville, MS are wet towns in a dry county, though you can't have anything "heavier" than beer or light spirits in either town.

Another thing of note:  local laws on selling alcohol do not apply to military bases in those localities.  Plenty of times where I've bought alcohol on Sundays in areas where it was otherwise prohibited, because I bought it on base.

jwolfer

It always struck me as odd that Bible belt locales in Florida, Georgia. Alabama etc have beer in every convenience store and grocery store but NJ with huge catholic populations doesn't not allow beer sales except in liquor stores. When I go back to NJ it is really inconvenient when you just want a six pack or 12 pack or even a single beer having to find a liquor store especially after 10pm

OCGuy81

What's interesting too is how the alcohol laws affect the price.  I've got friends in Oregon that always stock up at Costco before driving back into Oregon because they tell me it's much cheaper in California.

Ironically, Washington state kicked the state out of the liquor business a few years ago, and prices then actually shot up, thanks to a near 20% tax added as part of the deal.  Washingtonians go to Oregon for booze, Oregonians come to California.

I guess we could always go into Mexico. :-)

cpzilliacus

Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 19, 2015, 09:49:19 PM

Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 19, 2015, 09:29:07 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 19, 2015, 01:45:18 PM
Utah - I was visiting Utah, and remember really wanting a good beer to relax with that evening at my hotel.  Apparently, and perhaps this has changed, any beer that's more than 4.0% ABV (so basically anything with more alcohol than a Coors or Dud Light) has to be bought in a state run store.  Said stores are also closed on Sunday.  This was the strictest liquor laws I've encountered.

That was still the case when I was there last year.
Even dumber is they limit the alcohol content of draft beer in bars the same way.  Really wusses up the craft beer scene in that state.

The funny thing is, Uinta makes a delicious 6-7% IPA, Hop Nosh (renamed from "Hop Notch" to avoid confusion with Notch Brewing).  I don't know if it's sold there or what, but it sure is abundant here.

Ever tried Polygamy Porter?
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

cpzilliacus

#67
I am old enough to remember when grocery stores in Maryland could not be open Sundays.  That went away sometime in the 1970's.

Maryland is highly variable when it comes to alcohol sales on Sundays.  Some counties allow it, some counties do not, and one county (my home county) has no liquor stores at all, only a county-owned system of ABC stores (not sure there are any others like this in the U.S.).

Convenience stores (7-11, Wawa, Sheetz, Royal Farm and grocery stores) and chain restaurants are allowed one alcohol license per county, with some (relatively rare) exceptions.  So most stores cannot carry alcohol, but the one in each county that can makes a pretty hefty profit on same.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

DeaconG

#68
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 19, 2015, 08:56:12 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 19, 2015, 07:33:22 PM
I still don't understand Pennsylvania's laws regarding beer sales. I was astonished to walk into a Walmart in suburban Pittsburgh a few years ago and see no beer for sale. You can buy beer at a bar to take home, but not at a Walmart-type store or at a convenience store.

Regarding PA:

In general, 6 packs can only be sold by retailers that have dining areas.  Yes, that's right: A place where one normally would sit down and drink a beer in normal states is where they must go to purchase a 6 pack in PA.  If you want a case of beer, you have to go to a beer distributer.  But, you can only buy cases at distributers...you can't buy a 6 pack there.

6 packs tend to be unusually expensive in PA.  Cases are fairly reasonably priced.

Also, you are limited to the number of 6 packs you can buy...you can only purchase 2 at a time.  They may have 12 packs, but it's fairly rare.  If you want more than that, your buddies have to come with you...or you have to go to a distributer.

Where does this other quantities of beer, such as 18 packs?  Due to the laws, they can't be sold in PA!

Note: In a few other states, including Delaware, you can't walk into a Walmart and buy beer either.  NJ is generally that way - there are rare cases where you can walk into a supermarket and purchase beer/wine/liquor amongst the other goods, but they're few and far in between.  For the most part, you have to go to a liquor store to purchase beer/wine/liquor.  Ironically, the selection of alcohol in NJ liquor stores is better than what you will find in Walmart, because more space can be dedicated to craft brews and liquors that tend to be slower sellers, or sold in a store because the owner/manager knows their locals and clientile.

Yes, you can buy cases...but ONLY at stores considered "beverage distributors" or "Beer distributors" (been a while since I've been back home in Philly), not in the grocery stores.
EDIT: If you want a keg, this is where you go as well.
Dawnstar: "You're an ape! And you can talk!"
King Solovar: "And you're a human with wings! Reality holds surprises for everyone!"
-Crisis On Infinite Earths #2

1995hoo

Quote from: cpzilliacus on February 20, 2015, 06:35:35 PM
I am old enough to remember when grocery stores in Maryland could not be open Sundays.  That went away sometime in the 1970's.

Maryland is highly variable when it comes to alcohol sales on Sundays.  Some counties allow it, some counties do not, and one county (my home county) has no liquor stores at all, only a county-owned system of ABC stores (not sure there are any others like this in the U.S.).

Convenience stores (7-11, Wawa, Sheetz, Royal Farm and grocery stores) and chain restaurants are allowed one alcohol license per county, with some (relatively rare) exceptions.  So most stores cannot carry alcohol, but the one in each county that can makes a pretty hefty profit on same.

Some of those county-owned stores are pretty good stores (the one at Potomac Village comes to mind).
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

corco

Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 20, 2015, 05:13:16 PM
What's interesting too is how the alcohol laws affect the price.  I've got friends in Oregon that always stock up at Costco before driving back into Oregon because they tell me it's much cheaper in California.

Ironically, Washington state kicked the state out of the liquor business a few years ago, and prices then actually shot up, thanks to a near 20% tax added as part of the deal.  Washingtonians go to Oregon for booze, Oregonians come to California.

I guess we could always go into Mexico. :-)

Yeah the privatization of liquor sales was the worst thing to happen in Washington- the state stores carried a much larger selection of alcohols than Safeway too.

Mapmikey

Quote from: cpzilliacus on February 20, 2015, 06:35:35 PM
I am old enough to remember when grocery stores in Maryland could not be open Sundays.  That went away sometime in the 1970's.

Maryland is highly variable when it comes to alcohol sales on Sundays.  Some counties allow it, some counties do not, and one county (my home county) has no liquor stores at all, only a county-owned system of ABC stores (not sure there are any others like this in the U.S.).

Convenience stores (7-11, Wawa, Sheetz, Royal Farm and grocery stores) and chain restaurants are allowed one alcohol license per county, with some (relatively rare) exceptions.  So most stores cannot carry alcohol, but the one in each county that can makes a pretty hefty profit on same.

Growing up in South Carolina in the 1970s there were few businesses allowed to open on Sundays.  Then it became you could open at 1 p.m.  Finally businesses could do what they wanted.

Mapmikey

dfwmapper

Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 19, 2015, 09:49:19 PM

Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 19, 2015, 09:29:07 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 19, 2015, 01:45:18 PM
Utah - I was visiting Utah, and remember really wanting a good beer to relax with that evening at my hotel.  Apparently, and perhaps this has changed, any beer that's more than 4.0% ABV (so basically anything with more alcohol than a Coors or Dud Light) has to be bought in a state run store.  Said stores are also closed on Sunday.  This was the strictest liquor laws I've encountered.

That was still the case when I was there last year.
Even dumber is they limit the alcohol content of draft beer in bars the same way.  Really wusses up the craft beer scene in that state.

The funny thing is, Uinta makes a delicious 6-7% IPA, Hop Nosh (renamed from "Hop Notch" to avoid confusion with Notch Brewing).  I don't know if it's sold there or what, but it sure is abundant here.
Utah has a beer-only license, allowing 3.2ABW only, and also full liquor licenses that allow real beer, wine, and liquor. But, those can only be sold in combination with food, and you can't wander off with your drink after ordering (guessing there aren't a lot of dartboards in Utah pubs).

hbelkins

Re: a neo-Nazi not being prosecuted in Campbell County, Ky.

Being a neo-Nazi isn't against the law.

Re: tribal casinos in Oklahoma

Don't the tribes contract with outfits like Harrah's to run the casinos?

Re: sales of Tesla automobiles

The requirement that cars have to be sold by franchised dealers is absurd.

Re: alcohol sales in Mississippi

Froggie, didn't you say once that it is illegal to merely possess alcohol in a dry area there? In Kentucky, it's not illegal to possess or use alcohol in a dry territory unless possession is deemed to be for resale (bootlegging).

I hate trying to quote from three or four posts from two pages back in the thread, because the "Insert Quote" feature only shows a handful of past posts from which to quote.


Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

OCGuy81

So here is an interesting question. Who, in the US, do you think has the most relaxed liquor laws?

California seems pretty loose with them. Booze is available from a Circle K to a Bev Mo to Costco.

Though I think Nevada takes too honor. I can't speak for all of Nevada, and maybe my experience is limited to Las Vegas/Clark County, but being able to get booze at any time, in most any place, AND carry around an open container?? A full 180 from places like Utah or the Bible Belt.



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