Despite little evidence that gun shows are in any way responsible for gun crimes committed in the United States, Maryland county has now banned all gun shows for the foreseeable future. According to Anita Pesses of the Prince George’s County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, “It is a temporary moratorium. We will revisit this.” But, she added, “given the potential legislation on the state and federal level, we are putting a hold on that activity for now until we can reassess after the legislative session.”

Private gun shows will still be allowed, but gun shows utilizing county-owned land will not be. If counties begin preventing legal businesses from doing business based on the specter of federal or state legislation, the democratic process is in serious trouble.