Attorney General Opinions 
Relating to County Government

2009 Alcoholic Beverages

• A municipality or county cannot limit the number of wholesale liquor licenses issued by the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission within its jurisdiction.  Opinion No. 09-130 (July 24, 2009).

• The General Assembly has preempted local governments from any authority to regulate the possession of firearms except as expressly provided by statute; local governments are not authorized to prohibit firearms in establishments with on-premises beer permits.  Opinion No. 09-118 (June 12, 2009).

• The sale of beer to a minor or to a person without proper ID is not a crime involving moral turpitude.  Opinion No. 09-41 (March 25, 2009).

• A county referendum allowing the sale of liquor by the drink only permits the sale of alcohol in municipalities and in unincorporated areas of the county in civil districts with a population of 30,000 or more. Under T.C.A. § 57-3-106, retail sales of alcohol can only be made in cities, or in civil districts with populations of 30,000 or more. Opinion No. 09-11 (February 3, 2009).

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