thedrifter
01-10-09, 06:24 AM
Rejection of military IDs prompts measure
Marines showed cards but were denied alcohol
By Mike Gardner U-T Sacramento Bureau
2:00 a.m. January 10, 2009
Just days from deployment, Camp Pendleton troops attending a Marine Ball in Temecula decided to order drinks to complement dinner.
But no wine or beer would be poured, their cautious server ruled after being shown military identification cards.
Those ID cards, used to enter fortified military bases in hot spots worldwide, are not recognized in California as proof of legal drinking age even though a photograph, name and birth date are displayed.
“I am sure the establishment wished to serve them, but they were following the letter of the law,” said Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore.
In response, Jeffries has introduced legislation to change state policy so military IDs can be accepted as proof of being 21. Under current state law, identification must include a physical description, such as height and weight, which are not displayed on military IDs.
Other information, such as blood type and a fingerprint, are embedded in the magnetic strip for security reasons, according to Lt. Col. Les Melnyk, a Department of Defense press officer.
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control spokesman John Carr said the liquor enforcement agency is not likely to yank a license just for accepting a military ID, as long as the person is proved to be 21.
“It's up to the licensee to determine whether they want to serve someone. We do educate them to be careful,” Carr said. “If there's no violation, there's no problem.”
However, Jeffries wants certainty. “We have to make the rules clear,” he said. The confusion at the Marine Ball held at the Pechanga Resort & Casino last fall is an example of why legislation is needed, said Temecula Mayor Maryann Edwards.
“It demonstrates the law doesn't take into account real life,” said Edwards, who attended the Marine Ball, which was sponsored by the city of Temecula.
“This wasn't a rowdy bar situation,” she said. “It was a very elegant and formal evening.”
At one table, Edwards recalled, “a Marine held up his ID and said, This ID will get me on any secret facility in the world but it can't get me a glass of wine.' ”
So Edwards approached Jeffries about changing the law.
“The irony is these men and women were about to go into harm's way,” she said.
Jeffries obliged by introducing Assembly Bill 59. “They're old enough to go off to Iraq and Afghanistan and fight for our country, but they can't have a drink?” he said.
The measure has not yet drawn opposition. Hearings are not expected until next month at the earliest.
The food and liquor industry has not taken a position on the measure, but some see it as an opportunity to address some of the liability issues that haunt establishments over accepting military IDs.
In an e-mail, Pechanga spokesman Jacob Mejia said, “We are grateful for the sacrifices and service each member of the Armed Forces provides our nation and we warmly welcome them to our facility.
“However, we have a responsibility to the community, the tribe, and our guests to firmly uphold regulations governing the consumption of alcohol. That's why we adhered to the law and denied serving alcohol to guests whose ages were questionable and could not be substantiated with another valid form of identification.” Carr said ABC has not taken a position on the measure.
At Camp Pendleton, Staff Sgt. Jesse Lora, a spokesman, said officers encourage Marines to always carry a driver's license off-base.
Ellie
Marines showed cards but were denied alcohol
By Mike Gardner U-T Sacramento Bureau
2:00 a.m. January 10, 2009
Just days from deployment, Camp Pendleton troops attending a Marine Ball in Temecula decided to order drinks to complement dinner.
But no wine or beer would be poured, their cautious server ruled after being shown military identification cards.
Those ID cards, used to enter fortified military bases in hot spots worldwide, are not recognized in California as proof of legal drinking age even though a photograph, name and birth date are displayed.
“I am sure the establishment wished to serve them, but they were following the letter of the law,” said Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore.
In response, Jeffries has introduced legislation to change state policy so military IDs can be accepted as proof of being 21. Under current state law, identification must include a physical description, such as height and weight, which are not displayed on military IDs.
Other information, such as blood type and a fingerprint, are embedded in the magnetic strip for security reasons, according to Lt. Col. Les Melnyk, a Department of Defense press officer.
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control spokesman John Carr said the liquor enforcement agency is not likely to yank a license just for accepting a military ID, as long as the person is proved to be 21.
“It's up to the licensee to determine whether they want to serve someone. We do educate them to be careful,” Carr said. “If there's no violation, there's no problem.”
However, Jeffries wants certainty. “We have to make the rules clear,” he said. The confusion at the Marine Ball held at the Pechanga Resort & Casino last fall is an example of why legislation is needed, said Temecula Mayor Maryann Edwards.
“It demonstrates the law doesn't take into account real life,” said Edwards, who attended the Marine Ball, which was sponsored by the city of Temecula.
“This wasn't a rowdy bar situation,” she said. “It was a very elegant and formal evening.”
At one table, Edwards recalled, “a Marine held up his ID and said, This ID will get me on any secret facility in the world but it can't get me a glass of wine.' ”
So Edwards approached Jeffries about changing the law.
“The irony is these men and women were about to go into harm's way,” she said.
Jeffries obliged by introducing Assembly Bill 59. “They're old enough to go off to Iraq and Afghanistan and fight for our country, but they can't have a drink?” he said.
The measure has not yet drawn opposition. Hearings are not expected until next month at the earliest.
The food and liquor industry has not taken a position on the measure, but some see it as an opportunity to address some of the liability issues that haunt establishments over accepting military IDs.
In an e-mail, Pechanga spokesman Jacob Mejia said, “We are grateful for the sacrifices and service each member of the Armed Forces provides our nation and we warmly welcome them to our facility.
“However, we have a responsibility to the community, the tribe, and our guests to firmly uphold regulations governing the consumption of alcohol. That's why we adhered to the law and denied serving alcohol to guests whose ages were questionable and could not be substantiated with another valid form of identification.” Carr said ABC has not taken a position on the measure.
At Camp Pendleton, Staff Sgt. Jesse Lora, a spokesman, said officers encourage Marines to always carry a driver's license off-base.
Ellie