Should it be legal to own a still?

Question

I recently got my first harvest of peaches this year and hopefully pears next year. I’m really interested in making my own Obstler as you can’t get any good Schnapps in USA and it’s my favorite. So I’m looking into getting a still and it’s not legal to own one. Federal law is not against owning one, as long as you’re just distilling water or essential oils. But in my state it is illegal to even own one, not even for personal use only. I just can’t understand this. I just want to make a tasty drink for myself, not make moonshine and sell it under the table without regulations or paying taxes. There is up to a $10,000 fine, 5 years in jail or both of you own one. But it’s not hard to buy one off Amazon. Do you think it should be legal? Why or why not? And would you even care if you broke this law?

Answer

I don’t have a problem with people owning these. I’m wondering it it’s one of those old unenforced laws that goes back to prohibition days.  
I wouldn’t personally risk breaking the law with one, but I wouldn’t report anyone doing so either. At least not as long as they weren’t doing something stupid like selling moonshine to teenagers.

Answer

It should 💯 be legal. Why not? Is it dangerous if you do it incorrectly?
On a side note; Regional moonshine/homebrews are my favorite thing to try when we travel. Had some interesting stuff, the most memorable was a Trini recipe called ‘under da table’

Answer

Federally, I believe it is legal to distill alcohol with a permit (regulated, inspected, etc.).  Some states also have their own permit requirements, so it's not really illegal, but it's a ridiculously high bar for anyone wanting to distill for personal use.

Answer

From what I googled for just my state is that it’s illegal without a commercial distilling license, which I don’t know how a resident would even obtain that. 
I don’t think it should be allowed to make at home because it’s unregulated and who knows what someone would put in those. Not to mention if some young child gets into it. 
Anyway jail isn’t worth it.

Answer

We would just do it anyway.

Answer

Where I am and grew up it is illegal as well but soooo many people do it...they just hide it. And yes we know several people who were arrested but they were selling moonshine not just drinking it themselves so they should have been better at doing it discretly. We had several stills..mainly for essential oils but we grew crops and my dad may have made a few spirits here or there. I think people should be able to have them and do whatever as long as they aren't selling it to others. For those who talk about safety...people are assuming a known risk making it and consuming it and if they get sick they get sick. But it is the same with beer, cider, canned foods, smoked meats...they are all legal but dangerous if done wrong. To me the reasons are all financial and political and that is dumb. My dad still at times makes the best damn strawberry moonshine when he feels up to it but does more ciders now as to not worry about his stills being destroyed and him fined and/or arrested. My mom makes essential oils, water essences, and plant distillations for herbalists and earth religions to sell so the stills bring money to the farm. If he was to be caught making shine all 6 stills would be confiscated and destroyed. If you're gonna do.it just be discreet and don't tell people you can't trust.

Answer

I think it has to do more with safety. Fire, un regulated, higher content of alcohol more risk, and in the hands of minors.
Would I take the risk nope. I have grape vines for wine and I don't make that lol I'm too worried about poisoning someone lol. I do make baileys though for Christmas every year.

Answer

They shouldn’t be illegal… not all distilling is alcohol anyway. Yes it can be dangerous to distil your own liquor. For example if you accidentally don’t burn of the methanol that can kill you. Usually it’s way higher proof than retail liquor so there is also a chance you could give yourself alcohol poisoning. However, if done right that if you test it properly there should be no issue. Gov doesn’t like it because they make a lot of money on liquor tax.

Answer

Buy it anyway lmao no one will know

Answer

Its legal to own and make your own alcohol in my state as long as you aren't selling it

Should it be legal to own a still?

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