Feb. 9 marked the first time since before Prohibition, liquor stores in the Keystone State… Feb. 9 marked the first time since before Prohibition, liquor stores in the Keystone State opened their doors for business on a Sunday. The stores were opened on a limited basis – from noon to 5 p.m. – and only 61 of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s 638 Wine and Spirits shoppes were included, but the action is a sign that the state is moving in a more reasonable direction with its alcohol sales.

As far as wine and spirits go, Pennsylvania has always leaned strongly toward the conservative side. Those who leave the state for the first time may be shocked to discover beer and wine for sale in many grocery stores, convenience stores and other non-state-owned establishments. Around here, liquor doesn’t change hands unless the PLCB is behind it.

While the PLCB is not relinquishing its control of alcohol, it is moving toward, in this case, a policy that makes a little more sense. Sunday is no different than any other day of the week – aside from religious significance that should not determine the state’s actions – so if a consumer is permitted to buy wine on a Friday, he or she should be able to do it on Sunday as well.

Pennsylvania’s liquor laws are strongly rooted in tradition, but they should be flexible to change as the times change. While 61 stores have begun opening on Sundays for the duration of a two-year experiment, the other 577 should be following suit. The PLCB should open all its stores on Sundays, not because there is a great need for them to be open, but because there is no reason why they should be closed.

The change has been opposed by religious groups and organizations opposed to drunk driving, which argue that greater availability of alcohol will lead to greater occurrences of drunk driving. But the fact remains that alcohol is already available six days a week, and one more day will not be detrimental. As it stands, those who want to drink on Sunday can still go to the liquor store on Saturday, so it’s more a matter of convenience than actually stopping people from drinking on Sundays.

Alcohol has potential to be dangerous, and the concerns of organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving are admirable, but opposing the sale of alcohol on Sunday is arbitrary and fruitless. Pennsylvania would do well to open the stores and get with the times.