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Bill Would Allow Parents to Buy Alcohol for Children 18 and Up

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Jan 9, 2013 at 6:25 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 10, 2013 at 12:18 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Drinking for those age 18 and up may become legal, under certain circumstances.

"I think it's insane," said Carolyn Mullins, resident.

"I think it's better that they're with their parents drinking, than sneaking behind their backs," said Rebecca Fleshmin, resident.

Senator Greg Brophy, a Republican lawmaker, is introducing a bill that would allow parents to buy their children 18 years and up alcohol at Colorado bars and restaurants.

"Parents really ought to have the ability to show their kids how to consume an adult beverage in a public place," said Brophy.

"It's going to be a problem, I don't think it needs to pass. Kids are already getting alcohol as it is," said Dana Blade, resident.

"I think it might be an opportunity for a parent to teach an 18-year-old how to drink responsibly and facilitate an appropriate demeanor of drinking," said Fleshmin.

Several local restaurants say if the bill passes, they will honor it, but there would be some serious topics the bill would need to clarify.

One topic needing to be addressed includes how businesses will be able to determine if the person trying to buy the drink is in fact the minor's parent.

"We're always under a lot of pressure to make sure we're not serving a minor or allowing another patron to serve a minor. Being able to determine the parameters of that law would be the challenge for us," said Eric Wilmot, owner of Naggy McGee's Irish Pub.

"It'd be up to the server. If the server believes them, and it looks good to them, they can make the sale. If not, then they can request some type of proof and if the parent cares that much about it, they can take with them some sort of proof that they're the parent of this person," said Brophy.

Residents in favor of the bill say it would remove the mystery that is sometimes associated with alcohol.

"Yeah, if you make it so exciting and sneaky, if you take that intrigue away it might help with underage drinking," said Fleshmin.

Meanwhile, others say it's just going to add more problems.

"I don't think kids are responsible enough, at this time in the world, to start drinking at a younger age," said Terry Bush, resident.

The senator said he is also introducing the bill for service men and women who are old enough to serve their country, but aren't old enough to go out with their parents for a drink.

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Concerned citizen said on Wednesday, Jan 9 at 9:29 PM

Wow!! I thought it couldn't get more insane. First dope for everyone no let's promote underage drinking. What a joke! We should be protecting our children not giving them an excuse to destroy their lives.

Justin Yates said on Thursday, Jan 10 at 10:17 AM

I find it funny that anyone that still calls pot dope is most likely really old and never tried the stuff and probably gets all their opinions from Fox news.

Parent said on Thursday, Jan 10 at 11:50 AM

It is time for Parents to start acting like Parents, and not Friends to their kids. It is time to start teaching kids the word NO. It is not a bad thing to say no, or to not give something to a kid whenever they ask for it. This is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard from ANY Politition. What kind of idiot would even think that this is a positive idea?

Lol said on Thursday, Jan 10 at 1:27 PM

Concerned Citizen you are a dope! I know you are old enough to remember when the drinking age in most States was 18-19, do you think it's right to deny a soldier putting his life on the line not to be able to have a beer but be able to kill if he's not 21? Trust me I saw it all the time during my military service. Now if you managed to get stationed overseas and you were not 21 so what, the drinking age in Europe is 16. Time for you to be put out to pasture old timer, you just don't fit into today world. If you remember it was President Carter who by withholding Federal highway funding that forced the States to raise the drinking age to 21 and the speed limit to 55. Dope!

Pantload said on Thursday, Jan 10 at 7:42 PM

At 18 they can vote, sign contracts, marry, drive and join the military. But they're not mature enough to have a beer?? This nanny state business has got to stop !

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