MURFREESBORO, N.C. — Murfreesboro Town Council has moved to keep Internet cafes out of the city limits.

Council members recently voted to place a moratorium on Internet cafes until the North Carolina General Assembly decides how to regulate them.

Previously, council had asked Town Attorney Buddy Jones to research Internet cafes.

“My understanding is that the General Assembly will take this up in the short session,” Jones told council.

His recommendation was to adopt a moratorium.

“Internet cafes as a credible business are not permitted in Murfreesboro,” said Interim Town Administrator Hugh Montgomery. “We’ve turned down applicants because it is not a permitted activity as a credible business by our code of ordinances. It’s not a permitted use of buildings in our town.”

Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe said there was a possibility that a person wanting to start an Internet cafe could not represent it as a primary business.

“There’s all these loopholes if you do not put forth a moratorium,” he said.