by KYW's Tony Romeo

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a battle over whether a convenience store chain can sell beer at one of its stores in Altoona. 

The Supreme Court’s ruling, which is not likely to come for several weeks or months, could open the door to more places like Sheetz stores selling beer.

John Rafferty (R-Chester, Montgomery Counties) is chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, which oversees liquor issues. He thinks the court will rule in favor relaxing beer sales:

“I have a feeling that – and this is strictly a gut feeling – that the court is going to open the windows for us, and that there will be a more liberal ruling, if you will, widening the market for selling beer.”

If the court rules the other way, Rafferty says the Senate will take a good, hard look at legislation in the pipeline that will relax regulations on beer sales, something he says will have to happen soon because consumers are demanding it.