Gainesville considers permanently legalizing public drinking

[TexasTowelie]

Walking down the sidewalk drinking from a bottle of Jack Daniels or swigging a beer on city right of way would be legal on a permanent basis under a proposal city leaders are considering.

People in Gainesville would be legally able to drink the alcoholic beverage of their choice from the container of their choice on city property or right of way without getting ticketed for an open-container violation under a proposal the Gainesville Commission is voting on Monday.

The commission, during its evening session, which begins at 5:30 p.m., is scheduled to vote on the first of two readings an open-container ordinance that essentially makes what was a temporary ordinance into a permanent one.

The current law that was passed as an emergency measure during the pandemic last September allows outdoor public drinking, and allows businesses to serve alcohol in public and outdoor spaces.

Read more: https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2021/07/17/gainesville-proposal-would-legalize-public-drinking/7988920002/

[Walleye]

1. Don't forget your six shooter on your hip when you're slugging back your whiskey walking the street

[Chainfire]

5. In Florida, you have to cover your six shooter with your shirt.

If Panama City passed similar legislation, the city would go bankrupt. They make a living off of beach goers sipping a beer in public.
It is the beach equivalent of a speed trap.

[Dreampuff]

6. That's very true in some areas here. But

It isn't like that in Gainesville. Alachua County is a very Progressive area of the state and is solidly blue. It is a thriving college town.

[Walleye]

7. I'm Sure that's true in a lot of places that we call red states.

Geographical prejudice can be almost as misleading and thoughtless as any other kind, I guess

[Deuxcents]

2. Yep.. booze n guns

What could possibly go wrong?

[MerryHolidays]

3. What possible social benefit arises out of this?

And top of that, it's home to the U of Florida. So, I'd expect college students to take full advantage of this.

Remind me to avoid Gainesville in any of my travels, please.

[sop]

4. The cops can't arrest everyone walking up and down University Avenue every Saturday night

after Gator football games with open containers. It's bad for business.