State lawmakers consider repealing alcohol ID bill

An Indiana law that requires all people—regardless of age—to show identification when buying alcohol has caused headaches for some shoppers, but liquor store representatives are urging lawmakers not to repeal it.

Law supporters told a House committee Wednesday that they've seen a drastic drop in attempts by minors to buy alcohol because they know they'll be carded. John Livengood of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers says the six-month-old law is not that inconvenient.

"It has driven attempts to buy by minors to almost zero and that is a good thing," Livengood told WTHR-TV in Indianapolis.

But some lawmakers want to repeal the law after being bombarded by backlash from constituents who say it defies common sense to ask an 80-year-old for ID.

Rep. Vanessa Summers, D-Indianapolis, said a constituent told her the law was the "dumbest thing" he had ever seen. Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said he was asked to show identification at a liquor store when all he wanted was change for a dollar.

Rep. Greg Steuerwald, R-Danville, said the law needs more common sense.

"Sometimes what we think down here and what turns into practice are two different things," Steuerwald said, according to the Post-Tribune of Merrillville.

Under Indiana law, clerks commit a misdemeanor if they don't ask for identification when selling alcohol. The law offers clerks a defense if they fail to card someone who appears to be at least 50 years old, but Steuerwald said clerks can't use that defense until after they've been arrested.

The House public policy committee took no vote on the bill Wednesday. Similar bills are also being proposed in the Senate, where lawmakers have also heard plenty of complaints from constituents.

"We've all heard from people all throughout the summer (about) how ridiculous the law is," Sen. Johnny Nugent, R-Lawrenceburg, told the Indiana Daily Student. "It's an embarrassment to everybody."