According to some students say a new bill aimed to revoke the driver's licenses of those who use fake IDs is missing the mark altogether.
In response to the pending legislation that Sen. Tim Burchett (R) said will "send shockwaves to the youth of America," The Daily Helmsman randomly interviewed a dozen students, two of whom admitted having fake IDs. The survey garnered a myriad of responses, ranging from hopelessness to cynicism to optimism. One thing's for sure: students feel the issue is complex and goes beyond using a fake ID.
"It's not the IDs that are the problem," said Christopher Ingram, a 21-year-old communications major. "It's the adults who are supposed to supervise and monitor. I mean, you know when someone's not 21."
Ingram said the new legislation is pointless.
"I think it's rather stupid," he said. "I think it's just another bill to pass along to have something to do. Young people are so ingenious. They'll find another way to do this."
Nick Jones, 23, an accounting major, said he doesn't think the legislation will deter underage drinkers.
"It won't work," he said. "You're just going to find someone to buy it for you," he said.
Jones said he thinks part of the reason young people are attracted to alcohol is because they know they're not supposed to have it.
"Once you turn 21, the thrill is gone," he said. " The drinking age should be 18 anyway. If you can go to the Marines and can die for your country, you should be able to drink."
Another student, 19-year-old Jimeka Spencer, said although she doesn't drink, she agrees the drinking age should be lowered.
Spencer said she really did not have an opinion about the bill because she said she sees so many flairs in enforcing laws and many people know how to work around them.
"I know a guy who got arrested for a DUI, and he's still driving," she said. "He got a hardship that allows him to drive to school and to work, so why take the license in the first place?" When asked if the guy still drives under the influence, Spencer said yes, but he hasn't been caught.
Spencer also said there's a problem with businesses putting policy into practice.
"Some liquor stores aren't worried about ID. They just want to make their money," she said.
While Spencer said some alcohol vendors are profit-driven, another student, 22-year-old Murel Crabtree, said if the new bill passes, money will be a probable solution for kids who do get in trouble.
"Okay, so it's going to come down to whoever's parents has the most money," he said. "They're going to get away with it."
Crabtree also said everyone understands the danger behind drinking and driving, and the law should affect adults as well.
"Why are they focusing on young people when they ought to do the same for adults?" he said. Age 19, 18, 24, 37, or whatever. You can be 60 and have the mentality. It doesn't matter. (The bill) should be across the board," he said.
While many students said the bill wouldn't work, others are more optimistic. However, they still have reservations.
"I think it's cool, but I don't think it's going to stop young people from drinking," said Gered Lewis, a 21-year-old English major.
Lewis, like several others, said that many underage people get alcohol without ever using a fake ID.
"Are they talking about doing anything to people who buy alcohol for minors?" Lewis said, "And some people don't get carded at all," he added.
Kristina Erickson, a 22-year-old communications major, said she thinks the bill could be effective.
"I don't see how it's a waste of time. They have to start somewhere," she said.
Erickson said she thinks fake IDs are part of the problem.
"I have friends who work at gas stations who say it's a problem. They have to call law enforcement," she said.
Erickson also said time is a factor. "I agree with it. I think it'll work eventually, but it'll take awhile," she said.
Mickie Martin, a 24-year-old pursuing a masters in accounting, said she also thinks the law could work. "It definitely would be a good deterrent if they enforced it and were consistent with it," she said.
However, Martin said while the law may make a dent in the fake ID issue, when it comes to driving under the influence, teenagers don't really concern her.
"It's the people over 21 I worry about," she said. "As I have gotten older, I don't know what their rationale is, but it seems to be something like, as I get older, I can drive drunk better,'" she said.
A couple of students interviewed admitted to having fake IDs, and agreed to talk to The Daily Helmsman only if they could remain anonymous.
A 20-year-old sociology major said young people usually aren't aware of what the penalties are, so it may take a few people getting their licenses revoked for everyone to get the message.
"It will probably work for a little while, but when I was young, I didn't think I'd get busted," she said.
The 20-year-old owned up to having a fake ID, but added that she hasn't used it in two years.
She also said she feels the consequences in the bill are too stiff.
"It's really harsh -- just to buy alcohol?"
Another 20-year-old, a business major, said he took advantage of his aging driver's license to create a fake ID.
"Mine's all faded, so I used nail polish remover to remove the numbers," he said.
He said he hasn't used it to buy alcohol, however.
"I haven't tried it," he said.
But in spite of having gone through the trouble of creating a fake ID, the business major said he wasn't angry at the bill, and fake ID owners would just have to choose the places they go more carefully.
"(The bill is) pretty good," he said. "I guess whether or not it'll work depends on where you go -- whether or not they have real police working."
