Private liquor sales on table for Asheville, rest of North Carolina, Sen. Edwards says

ASHEVILLE - Republican N.C. Sen. Chuck Edwards told a conservative business group Friday he was open to privatizing government-controlled liquor sales and that a committee he is chairing has some sway over the issue.

"Lots of folks already are coming to me and talking about changes to North Carolina's antiquated ABC laws to make things streamlined both for folks who administer that and for business," said Edwards, who represents part of Buncombe County including Asheville and all of Henderson and Transylvania counties.

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Who gets to sell liquor?

Beer and wine are sold by private retailers in North Carolina, but bottles of distilled spirits can be bought only from Alcoholic Beverage Control stores run by local governments, such as Asheville.

Privatization proponents, such as Edward's fellow Henderson Republican NC Rep. Chuck McGrady, say ABC scandals are a good argument to get government out of liquor sales.

Read more: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2019/02/01/private-liquor-sales-asheville-north-carolina-sen-chuck-edwards/2742920002/