Photo: Moment RF
Since 1868, home distilling of alcohol has been prohibited by federal law, enforced by the ATF. Now, after 156 years, a federal judge has issued an injunction on this law. This is just the latest development in a long fight for home distilling.
Rick Morris, with the Hobby Distillers Association—plaintiffs in the lawsuit that won the injunction—told KTRH this is really just an extension of the home brewing and home winemaking hobby. He said, "It's the logical next step. We are just trying to get it the same legal standing as home brewing and home winemaking."
Morris says that this is a big win, but the fight isn't quite over yet. He said, "The government has the opportunity to appeal, we'll have to wait and see if they do. So we're trying to remain cautiously optimistic."
Morris said that if this ruling stands, they can then begin campaigning against individual state laws that bar home distilling.