OXFORD — Customers who buy a keg of beer and businesses who sell them would have to register with the city under a proposal under review by Oxford officials.
"This is an idea that came from the Chancellor's Alcohol Task Force," Mayor Richard Howorth said, referring to a University of Mississippi study of campus drinking. "Half of the states have keg registration laws so this is not treading on new ground here."
The ordinance is still in draft form, Howorth said this week in an article on the Oxford Eagle's Web site www.oxfordeagle.com.
The proposed ordinance would require businesses with a privilege license to be issued a seller's license to sell kegs. Those purchasing the kegs would be required to get a purchaser's permit from the city.
Under the proposal, purchasers would have to be 21 years old and sign a statement they would not allow minors to drink. They also must provide the location of where the keg will be and dates when the beer will be drunk.
Howorth said a written authorization would be required from the owner of the premises where the applicant will possess the keg.
The ordinance would permit kegs of no more than 16 gallons. No one would be allowed to possess more than one permit, and no more than one keg would be allowed in any dwelling unit, lodging house or other location unless it is a location licensed to allow the sale or distribution of beer and light wine within the city limits.
Violators could be fined up to $500 or be jailed up to 30 days.
Officials said aldermen will have their official first reading of the ordinance at their March 20 meeting.
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