Ma and Pa Businesses and Obscenity Laws.

I know where I live, metro Detroit, pornography is ubiquitous. Every liquor store, every drugstore, every gas station, even some supermarkets sell.

And this makes me sometimes wonder. Could the store owner get in any legal trouble for doing this? And do they ever?

They seem to do it with virtual impunity, not worrying about prosecution and arrest. But should they be?

Keep in mind simply buying porn is not illegal. Also the SCOTUS has ruled that the subject matter has to be taken a whole. So I guess political satire like Hustler magazine would be protected. But don't quote me on that either because IANAL and I honestly don't know.

 

Are you asking if they should get in legal trouble for doing something that isn't illegal?

No. No they shouldn't.

 

My question was purely a hypothetical legal one. No I don't believe anyone should get in trouble for something that involves grown, mature adults.

I have been a liberal (to varying degrees) all my life. Although when I was younger I was more morally conservative, interestingly (w/12 years Catholic education). Now I am kind of an independent I think.

 

What kind of porn? Because if it's just magazines..

 

i don't really know the laws, but i'm under the impression that they could get in trouble if they sell it to kids.