Staying current with minor in possession laws can be difficult.  Each state has their own laws and it is difficult to remember all of the details.  This article will help you understand the guidelines and common points within the law.

In 1984, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act (NMDA) was written in to law that includes provisions prohibiting the public possession and purchase of alcohol.  This resulted in a standard national age for the sale of alcohol to minors.  Amazingly enough, there are five states that do not prohibit the purchase of alcohol by a minor.  One of these states is the District of Columbia!  This state also doesn't restrict the public possession of alcohol by a minor.

The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) believes strongly that each state should enforce and create a comprehensive purchase of alcohol law to restrict the purchase, attempt to purchase, possession and consumption of alcohol by a minor and should prohibit a minor that lies about their age (aka:  fake I.D.) to purchase alcohol.

The documented statistics state that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death among the ages of 15-20.  There were an astonishing 7,460 deaths due to car accidents in relation to alcohol in 2005!  A youth caught driving while under the influence immediately has their license revoked until age 21.  This happens on the first offense!

There are a few states that ban a youth from consuming alcohol but only from one set of locations.  A youth is not allowed to consume alcohol in a licensed establishment.   This means that they can consume alcohol in any other public or private location.  The states that allow this are:  New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

Many states still hold just the seller or supplier of the alcohol to the punishment of the law but it is in the works to punish those who purchase and consume equally.  By misplacing full responsibility it give a strange and unfair view to underage persons, then giving them the impression they can impede enforcement.  No wonder accidents and consumption continues to rise!  The National Transportation Safety Board strongly encourages the District of Columbia and all other states enforce a comprehensive law that bans the attempt by a minor to purchase any alcohol, the possession in public areas (licensed or not), public consumption and the use of fake identification with the intent to purchase alcohol.  This would contribute to the safety of our youth and hopefully bring down the minor in possession realities.