Lower Drinking Age Proposed For Service Members
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Should 18-year-olds in the military be allowed to drink? A Maryland Senate committee is considering a bill to allow enlisted men and women under 21 to drink in bars and restaurants.
Political reporter Pat Warren reports on Friday's hearing.
The bill applies only to beer and wine, only served in bars and restaurants. The enlisted person must be on active duty and present a military I.D.
The bill's sponsor believes that if you're old enough to fight for your country, you should be allowed to raise a glass to it.
"If somebody is asked at 18 to risk their life, to go overseas and fight, they at least ought to be able to go into the Legion or a restaurant or bar and have a glass of wine or a beer," said Sen. Ronald Young, (D) Frederick County.
The proposal gets a mixed reaction from Marylanders.
"To make a decision at 18 to go into the military--yes--you can drink. More so than just an 18-year-old who's sitting in his mom's basement. So my answer still is yes," said Cheron Jones.
"No. No, I think 21. It should be 21," said Denise Smith.
The legal drinking age is 21 under the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act, which is tied to federal highway funding. Maryland could lose $31 million if it lowers the age to 18.
Senator Ronald Young would ask for a waiver.
"I've had a lot of people come up and say they like it," he said.
"They're old enough to vote, they're old enough to die for their country, there's no reason on this planet why they shouldn't treat them like adults in full," said Peter Crisman.
"Iraq and all that and they're coming back losing body parts, but they can't go get a beer," said Louis McAllister.
But even Young admits the bill has little chance.
"On a lot of issues like that there are people that say I really am for it, but I can't risk it back home. That's something I don't worry about," said Sen. Young.
The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland State Highway Administration testified against the bill.
If passed, Maryland would be the first state to fall out of the federal guidelines on drinking age.
The Maryland Nonprofit Alcohol Program also testified against the bill.
