Legal Definitions - Sunday-closing law

A Sunday-closing law is a specific type of legal regulation, often referred to as a "blue law," that restricts or prohibits certain commercial activities, entertainment, or other public behaviors on Sundays. These laws historically originated from religious traditions, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of rest and worship in Christianity, and were designed to enforce a period of quiet and non-commercial activity.

Here are some examples illustrating how Sunday-closing laws apply:

• Example 1: Automobile Dealerships

  In some states, there are laws that specifically prohibit automobile dealerships from opening for sales on Sundays. This means that even if other retail businesses are operating, car dealerships must remain closed to customers for sales transactions. This restriction is a direct application of a Sunday-closing law, as it singles out a particular industry and mandates its closure on that specific day, regardless of market demand or the preferences of individual businesses.

• Example 2: Alcohol Sales Restrictions

  Many jurisdictions have Sunday-closing laws that regulate the sale of alcoholic beverages. For instance, a state might permit grocery stores and liquor stores to sell alcohol from Monday through Saturday, but on Sundays, sales might be prohibited entirely, or only allowed after a certain time, such as noon. This type of law restricts a specific commercial activity (alcohol sales) on Sundays, often with different rules than apply on other days of the week, clearly demonstrating a Sunday-closing regulation.

• Example 3: General Non-Essential Retail

  Historically, some towns or counties had broader Sunday-closing laws that required most non-essential retail businesses, such as clothing stores, electronics shops, or furniture outlets, to close their doors for the entire day on Sunday. While essential services like pharmacies or gas stations might be exempt, the general expectation was that commercial activity would cease. This illustrates a Sunday-closing law by imposing a widespread closure requirement on a significant portion of the retail sector, aiming to maintain Sunday as a day distinct from the regular commercial week.