In response to state Rep. Sandy Caul’s letter on her legislation of kegs (“Keg legislation will save lives,” SN 2/8), I would like to clarify certain incidents she is using as her defense.

First off, the tragedy of Bradley McCue’s death was a result of “binge drinking,” where he consumed more than five drinks in one sitting. The question I raise is that the drinks he consumed were not drinks at all, they were shots.

Don’t get me wrong, but aren’t shots, especially 24 of them, a little stronger than drinks? What does a 21-year-old overindulging in hard liquor have to do with a 21-year-old who needs a keg of Best Brown Ale to furnish his brand new kegerator?

Is it not the keg-needy person who is the one hampered by the irresponsible acts of few? My 18 years of age have not introduced me to the death of someone due to drinking too much beer. Now, you can argue someone served too much beer may perform acts of stupidity, but keg or bottle, those acts will be performed no matter how it is distributed.

Caul also raises the point that the purchaser of the keg will be more aware of the legality of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. From what I gather, the person who is buying the keg is fully aware he or she is buying for minors.

In fact, that is why he was sent to the store, because he was of legitimate age, and if he can’t buy the keg, he’ll pick up a couple of cases instead. Once again, you can argue the ability to identify the purchaser of a keg from which a minor drank will be easier to pinpoint, but isn’t that why we have fake IDs?

J.D. Kinser
general management freshman