<P> In the United States, open container laws regulate or prohibit the existence of open containers of alcohol in certain areas, as well as the active consumption of alcohol in those areas . "Public places" in this context refers to openly public places such as sidewalks, parks and vehicles . It does not include nominally private spaces which are open to the public, such as bars, restaurants and stadiums . The purpose of these laws is to restrict public intoxication, especially the dangerous act of operating a vehicle while intoxicated . Open container laws are state laws, rather than federal laws; thus they vary from state to state . </P> <P> The majority of U.S. states and localities prohibit possessing and / or consuming an open container of alcohol in public places, such as on the street, while 24 states do not have statutes regarding public consumption of alcohol . However, the definition of "public place" is not always clear . California is unique in that it does have a state law on the books, but similar to states that have no law, the state law only applies to areas in which the "city, county, or city and county have enacted an ordinance ." </P>

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