The Florida Senate

562.454  Vendors to be closed in time of riot.--

(1)  Whenever any riot or gathering of a mob occurs in any area of this state, all persons in the area who sell alcoholic beverages shall, upon being so ordered by proclamation as provided herein, immediately stop the sale of alcoholic beverages and immediately close all barrooms, saloons, shops, or other places where any other alcoholic beverages are sold and keep them closed and refrain from selling, bartering, lending, or giving away any alcoholic beverages until such time as public notice shall be given by the sheriff of the county or the mayor of any city, town, or village where any riot or mob action may have occurred that such places may be opened and the sale of alcoholic beverages resumed.

(2)  Whenever any riot has occurred or mob has gathered, or there is a reasonable cause to apprehend the occurrence of such events in any area of the state, the mayor or county commission shall immediately issue a proclamation ordering the suspension of sale of alcoholic beverages and the closing of the places described in subsection (1) until such time as the public peace and safety no longer requires such restrictions.

(3)  None of the provisions of this section shall require the closing of any store, shop, restaurant, gasoline service station, or other place or establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold by the drink for consumption on the premises or as items in a stock of varied merchandise for sale to the general public, but all sales of such alcoholic beverages shall be suspended, and all bars, cocktail lounges, and other areas maintained for the sale or service of such beverages in such stores, shops, restaurants, gasoline service stations, and other such places or establishments shall be closed during any riot, gathering of a mob, or other occurrence contemplated in subsections (1) and (2).

(4)  Any person who knowingly violates any of the provisions of this section or the proclamation or permits any person in his or her employ to do so or connives with any other person to evade the terms of such proclamation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 4033, 1891; GS 3244, 3245; CGL 1936 Supp. 7179(1), (2); ss. 581, 582, ch. 71-136; s. 2, ch. 72-230; s. 870, ch. 97-103.

Note.--Former ss. 569.08 and 569.09.