Posted on 01/25/2005 11:33:55 AM PST by AdamSelene235
In an attempt to curb alcohol related deaths among young people, state Rep. Gary Lindstrom, D-Breckenridge, last week proposed a bill that would mandate kegs of beer be marked with identification tracking tags.
The keg identification - a recyclable tag bearing an identification number attached to the keg - would allow police to track the sales of kegs for up to six months after the purchase. Additionally, it will enable police to more quickly and efficiently identify those who provide kegs to minors.
"This bill gives law enforcement a tool in their investigation to find out who has purchased alcohol where a minor has either had a problem or has died," said Lindstrom.
Without the tags police departments can have trouble identifying who bought the keg. Culpability can be derived from the identity of the person who bought the keg.
"It (the alcohol related deaths) is certainly a very good reason to do what we can to find out who is buying alcohol for our children," said Lindstrom.
Colorado saw six students on five campuses, including one at CU and two at Colorado State University, die in alcohol-related incidents last fall. Several lawmakers took note and have introduced legislation intended to prevent future deaths.
This is the third time in three years that keg IDs have been proposed. The last two years the legislation didn't even make it out of the committee.
Last year the Business Affairs and Labor Committee narrowly voted against the bill 7-6. Some members from the committee cited as a reason for voting against the legislation that the scope isn't wide enough.
"Although this legislation is a well intended measure to reduce underage drinking, I am not confident that it will cut down on minors drinking," said state Sen. Ron Tupa D-Boulder. "It may motivate minors to drink beverages with higher alcohol content."
Currently 22 states have keg identification laws.
Even though the concept of keg tracking is unprecedented in Colorado, several municipalities have tried keg identification on a local level. The city of Boulder uses a volunteer program which liquor stores can choose to use the keg identification. Also, the city of Loveland has a mandatory keg identification policy, where all liquor stores in the city limits are required to mark their kegs upon sale.
The Boulder Police Department said it is hard to track the merits of its voluntary program.
"Effectiveness is relative because the sources (of keg beer) may be coming out of our jurisdiction," said Julie Brooks, public information officer for the Boulder Police Department.
Brooks noted that even kegs which are purchased within Boulder proper could be hard to track. One could cut or scrape off the keg identification to avoid prosecution, she said.
Coors Brewery in Golden declined to comment on the legislation.
Lindstrom said that he thinks he has enough support for the bill to pass the committee. He also said that he thinks the bill has enough support to pass through the Colorado House.
There is some agreement that regardless the outcome of this legislation, the emphasis still should be placed upon responsible drinking.
"I doubt the legislature can do anything meaningful to cut down on underage drinking; instead we should focus on young adults drinking more responsibly," said Tupa.
When kegs are outlawed, only outlaws will have kegs.
So will wrist tatoos.
Suppose a police officer arrives at a Frat house where an underage pledge has passed out and fallen down some steps. There's a keg there.
Well by all means blame the keg not the frat boy.
Banning instruments rather than acts indicate a belief that man is not worthy of his own free will.
The article does not mention how the tag is attached. What if the tag is removed?
Sounds like prima facie evidence of conspiracy to transmit alcohol to kindergartners.
So if I go to the store and 'buy' the keg, Im responsible to be the bartender for the duration of that keg?
Again, how can the leos determine that the alcohol in someone body came from THAT keg?
So now I have to baby sit every person in the place due to the fact that if someone dies, Im liable if they drank what they got from ANY other soure? While Im keeping track of everybody, how will i guard the integrity of the keg?
Etc Etc ad nauseum...
I think mostly this is for when the cops raid a kegger with underaged drinkers. They'll trace the keg back to the original buyer and ream him/her up the ying yang.
They've been doing this in California for a long time. I don't think it has really accomplished anything other than make you spend 5 extra minutes at the store filling out paperwork.
That sounds like a wonderful reason not to do it here.
Possesion of an untagged keg would (probably) be a felony. The selling establishment would (probably) be required by law to report you to the authorities under penalty of loss of their liquor license for failing to report the offense.
Like being cought with a firearm with no serial number.
It didn't accomplish anything in Cali, It won't accomplish anything there. It could have originated anywhere...it's just a worthless waste of YOUR time at the store.
Every state should have a part time legislature.
It's Busch's fault.
Wish I'd thought of that...LOL
I'm surprised it got to 50 posts without it happening.
Don't you just love prima facie evidence? It makes things so simple. No defense is possible.
As long as the tag didn't "accidentally" come off.
"Well, guys, you see I was drinking beer..."
"Sure, you were drinking beer... were Barbie and the tooth fairy there too? Your Killian's Irish Red was a little weak?"
The file marks would be the tip off.
Would there be a need to prove who removed it, or would the property owner automatically be guilty?
Want to talk about a national ID card, then do it, but stop with the straw men.
And then you write:
Is keeping a record of who bought a keg really so unwarranted? We still keep records of who checks out library books, right?
Physician, heal thyself.
Because I have sinking suspicion that possessing an unregistered keg is going to become yet ANOTHER in mala prohibitum crime.
It fosters a "Mother May I" mentality unbecoming a free society.
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