<P> Many states prohibit selling alcohol for on and off - premises sales in one form or another on Sundays at some restricted time, under the idea that people should be in church on Sunday morning, or at least not drinking . </P> <P> Another feature of blue laws in the United States restricts the purchase of particular items on Sundays . Some of these laws restrict the ability to buy cars, groceries, office supplies, and housewares among other things . Though most of these laws have been relaxed or repealed in most states, they are still enforced in some other states . </P> <P> In Texas, for example, blue laws prohibited selling housewares such as pots, pans, and washing machines on Sunday until 1985 . In Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, car dealerships continue to operate under blue - law prohibitions in which an automobile may not be purchased or traded on a Sunday . Maryland permits Sunday automobile sales only in the counties of Charles, Prince George's, Montgomery, and Howard; similarly, Michigan restricts Sunday sales to only those counties with a population of less than 130,000 . Texas and Utah prohibit car dealerships from operating over consecutive weekend days . In some cases these laws were created or retained with the support of those whom they affected, to allow them a day off each week without fear of their competitors still being open . </P> <P> Blue laws may also prohibit retail activity on days other than Sunday . In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine, for example, blue laws prohibit most retail stores, including grocery stores, from opening on Thanksgiving and Christmas . </P>

Can you buy a car in wisconsin on sunday