KANSAS – Lion’s Den Adult Superstore near Abilene, Kansas, lost its first defense against ongoing attempts by anti-porn forces determined to run it out of business when a federal judge dismissed its lawsuit protesting a Dickinson County ordinance enacted last year in order to regulate adult businesses.The shop’s owner had hoped to see the ordinance ruled unconstitutional, but the order, issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum, stated that the county had a compelling interest in battling what it believed would be the negative effects of a store such as Lion’s Den, including but not limited to drops in property value and increases in criminal behavior.

Phillip Cosby, an Abilene resident involved in attempts to close stores that sell adult products in Kansas, hopes that the ruling will encourage others to create and enforce zoning ordinances aimed against shops that carry pornographic videos, magazines, and novelties.