Beer with an alcohol content of up to 13.9 percent could be sold in Alabama under a measure approved by the state House of Representatives, the Associated Press reported March 4.

Previously, Alabama law prohibited sales of beer with an alcohol content higher than 6 percent. The bill passed by a narrow margin, 28-42, and now goes to the state Senate for consideration.

Supporters said the change was needed so that Alabama residents could purchase gourmet and imported beers and that high costs would discourage abuse, but others said the measure would make it easier for young people to get drunk and increase drunk driving.

"We continue to support something that's killing more of our young people in one year than we've had killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in a couple of years,"  said Rep. Richard Laird (D-Roanoke).