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LAYTON, Utah (AP) -- A Bountiful-based citizens group has asked Layton officials to help push grocery and convenience stores into putting covers over magazines the group considers inappropriate.
The group Citizens For Families asked the City Council to pass a resolution similar to one approved by Bountiful officials a year ago.
The resolution would call on store owners to voluntarily place covers on magazines sensitive in nature or put them out of sight of children by storing them beneath the counter.
"I will only shop in stores where I am not exposed to magazines with inappropriate covers and articles," said Rebekah Strain, a Layton mother of two and a member of Citizens For Families.
"Children are vulnerable. They are too young. They shouldn't have to grow up too fast," she said.
Strain said the group also aims at defining a community standard prohibiting pornography, which, if needed, could be used as legal defense in opposing any potential sexually oriented business that may challenge city ordinance.
Currently there are no sexually oriented businesses in Layton, Assistant City Attorney Steve Garside said.
City Manager Alex Jensen said the council could pass a resolution asking area business owners to voluntarily cover inappropriate magazines and believes the city would have no liability in making such a request.
Councilman Stephen Handy said he would support a resolution to cover the magazines, but he believes the request to business owners to put covers over the magazines should come from the citizens group.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
