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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.
\u201cHere\u2019s the Texas law making it a crime to possess more than five sex toys. But guns everywhere, for everyone. What an awful state government Texans have created for themselves. Electing right wing performance artists like Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn. Pathetic.\u201d— Evan McKenzie (@Evan McKenzie) 1653913125
\u201cBut guns AOK.\nhttps://t.co/bFng77TUz8\u201d— gregorypower (@gregorypower) 1653682470
\u201cTed Cruz wanted to ban sex toys but not guns, last time I checked, sex toys aren\u2019t killing children. https://t.co/hWfyR7SzEJ\u201d— Okie girl \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Okie girl \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1653534474
\u201cTexas politicians including Ted Cruz have long wanted to ban ALL dildos -- but never guns. Just women's sex toys.\n\nThink about it.\u201d— Stop herd stupidity! (@Stop herd stupidity!) 1653570991
\u201cFrom the man who loves unlimited guns, and will tell a woman what she can do with her body, comes this truly creepy bit of news:\n\nhttps://t.co/M6IvyAGu8e\u201d— Therese Flanagan, MA (@Therese Flanagan, MA) 1653769265
\u201cNever forget: while AG of Texas #RafaelCruz @tedcruz was more concerned w/keeping sex toys out of the hands of Texans than he is in keeping guns out of the hands of Americans as a U.S. Senator. \n\nI say this as a gun owner who isn't opposed to banning certain guns. #NRA\u201d— Marc Watkins \u2696 (@Marc Watkins \u2696) 1653659393
\u201cSo just to make sure I get the Ted Cruz worldview right: in Texas I can\u2019t buy a SEX TOY because it could hurt someone, but regardless of potential violent proclivities, I can buy an AR-15? Wait! What if I\u2019m an ammosexual and I consider guns sex toys?!?\u201d— seephozach (@seephozach) 1653829915
\u201cSo...sex toys are a NO in Texas, but guns are a huge YES \ud83d\ude33\nhttps://t.co/3rxCmDuZO4\u201d— GetFit (@GetFit) 1653564454
\u201cGuess who defended the Texas ban on sex toy sales in 2007? Ted Cruz. Guess who also sent thoughts and prayers to Ulvade instead of getting to work on gun laws? Ted Cruz \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\u201d— Callie Bingley (@Callie Bingley) 1653663589
\u201cIn Texas, although ruled unconstitutional, a law is still on the books that makes it illegal to own more than 5 sex toys.\nGreg Abbott & Ted Cruz unsuccessfully defended the law in 2007.\nThey proliferate guns that kill 10s of 1000s/yr but find sex toys too dangerous for society\u201d— Love God & Neighbor. Welcome Strangers. (@Love God & Neighbor. Welcome Strangers.) 1653688881
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.