Thanks to Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, there are more restrictive laws on owning sex toys in Texas than there are on guns.
According to Section 43.23 of the Texas penal code, people are forbidden from having more than six "obscene devices" in their possession. In fact, the law states that those who possess them "or similar obscene articles is presumed to possess them with intent to promote the same.”
In 2007, Cruz, then the state's Solicitor General, took part in a federal case to maintain the state's ban on the sale of sex toys. The brief in that case asserted that there is "no substantive-due-process right to stimulate one’s genitals for non-medical purposes unrelated to procreation or outside of an interpersonal relationship.”
While that statute was overturned in 2008, regulations surrounding sex toys remain on the books–even if they're not exactly enforced.
Last week, Cruz was heavily criticized after suggesting—following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas—schools would be safer if there were fewer exits and if more armed officers were stationed in school buildings.
19 children and two teachers died during the shooting and an increased police presence at the school had not deterred the shooter one bit–but that didn't stop Cruz from continuing to espouse conservative talking points about how militarizing more officers could prevent further shootings.
Cruz, speaking on Fox News, also did not appear to comprehend the fact that cutting down the number of exits in a school building would pose an even greater safety risk, as well as a significant fire hazard.
Many have criticized Cruz and suggested that he has his priorities very mixed up.
It is very easy to get a gun in Texas.
Authorities identified the shooter as an 18-year-old male who was a resident of Uvalde and a student at Uvalde High School. He purchased two semi-automatic rifles through a local gun store earlier this month, just days after his birthday.
In 2021, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed a law that loosened gun restrictions, allowing individuals who are 18 years or older to legally purchase long guns, which include shotguns and rifles.
