"We have very strict limits on what we sell, how many we will sell," he said.
One beer is allowed per person. There is also a two-beer limit. Some don't believe that's enough.
"The sheriff called this a law enforcement nightmare and the prosecutor said it was unenforceable. I agree with that," said Springfield DWI Task Force member Dr. Jim Blaine.
Blaine is part of a group that pushed for the alcohol ban. It believes allowing alcohol into a dark theater is enabling under-age drinking.
"Letting [alcohol drinkers] go into a theater with a high percentage of children and teens is asking for trouble," he said.
Some wonder.
"If we ban it in movie theaters, what's next? Springfield Cardinals Games?" asked Gowin. "I don't see any difference at all. I think we have a lot more restrictions."
"I can recognize my buddy clear across the stands, whereas I can't recognize my child two feet from me in a darkened theater," Blaine said. "That's the difference."
Another issue on the ballot in the city on April 5 also involves the rights of business owners. Live Free Springfield, which is campaigning against the anti-smoking ballot issue, is also against the ban on beer sales in theaters.
In 2009, an employee sold alcohol to a 19-year-old person at Campbell 16. Since that time, Gowin says, they've had numerous checks from law enforcement and have had no issues. On Fridays and Saturdays, the theater also has an officer on hand because of the concentration of teens and children on weekends.
The other Springfield theater that serves alcohol is The Moxie. It would be exempt if the measure passes because it's owned by a non-profit company. The proposed ordinance also would exempt a theater that sells fewer than 25 percent of its tickets to people under 21 years old, which also would exempt The Moxie.
