Ban on Sex Toys

A ban on sale of sex toys and other adult products near parks, churces, schools, kindregartens, and other places was approved by Sacramento County supervisors - this is the first law of this kind in California. This ban is a response to protests of neighbors of an Oranangevale business - The Cupid's Love Boutique. In fact the boutique that opened in December initially was supposed to be a lingerie shop. However, it also sails lots of adult items such as as DVD's, lotions, love potions, condoms as well as various sex toys dildos, vibrators and many others.

Sacramento county immediately limited adut materials to 25 per cent of the shop's floor space. Even so the boutique is located near an elementary school and severl day care centers as well as homes.

Manuel Sol who runs the Oranangevale Meat Shoppe that is near The Cupid's Love Boutique says his busiess is being hurt. This and other protests by neighbors induced supevisor Roberta McGlashen to make the ordinance prohibiting sale of sex toys and other adult products within thousand of feet of churches, schools, parks, bus stops, libraries and kindergartens.

The superviser said that she views this 'as futher strengthening the board's commitment to protecting young people“. However, a law of this kind has never been tested in a California court. Another problem is the very definition of a sexual device might present some difficulties. One more concern - the law does not do anything about changing the appearance of the shop as well as its displays and advertising.

Supervisor Roger Dickinson suggested ctiminal penalty of a thousand dollar and six months in a jail for breaking the low, however he was overruled as other adult businesses like strip clubs are subject to civil penalties and bussiness zoning rules.

Manuel Sol said that he was happy that this was a good beginning and he was happy with it. The owners of the boutique said they were going to contitue selling sex toys and other sex devices online if the ordinance pass. This will happen on next Tusday as on that day the official vote will be recorded. The new low applies only to unincorporated of the county.