US appeals court declares 158-year-old home distilling ban unconstitutional

5 hours ago

A US appeals court ruled the 1868 federal ban on home distilling unconstitutional, stating it oversteps Congress's taxation power.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Hobby Distillers Association, arguing home distilling for hobbies or personal use should be legal.
The ban, aimed at preventing tax evasion, was criticized for potentially reducing tax revenue and setting a dangerous precedent for criminalizing in-home activities.
Judge Edith Hollan Jones warned the government's logic could allow Congress to criminalize many home-based activities, like remote work, without constitutional limits.
The decision upholds a 2024 district court ruling and is hailed as a victory for individual liberty, though the government may appeal.

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