The ultra-conservative Donald Trump is no longer president of the United States, and perhaps for this reason the governor of Texas, Gregory Wayne "Greg" Abbott, has felt the need to impose a reactionary turning point at least within his own state. There are indeed two new developments: the first on the sale of firearms, the second on abortion.

In Texas, buying a gun will be as easy as buying a knife

Texas legislators have approved a reform that makes the sale of handguns even easier. To buy a handgun, no particular documentation will be required. No permit, no carry licence: nothing. Buying a Beretta will be as easy as purchasing a kitchen knife. And no one will check either the buyer's potential criminal record or whether they have received any training in the use of firearms. The only obstacle could be a criminal conviction for a felony, or a personal prohibition order.

The Washington Post ✓ @washingtonpost

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Texas is poised to allow people to carry handguns without a license, background check or training wapo.st/3yEl44y

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The measure was directly backed by Abbott, who confirmed he will sign it into law. This is despite the considerable criticism directed at him by those who recalled the tragedies that occurred in Texas itself in recent years. Starting with the one in El Paso, when 20 people were killed in a shooting in 2019. Or the one the following year at a high school in Houston, which claimed 10 victims.

Abortion banned even in cases of sexual violence

Conversely, as one might expect, the powerful American gun lobby, the National Rifle Association, stated that in its view this will make it easier for the population to defend themselves. As is already the case in other American federal states: by the end of the year, there will be as many as 22 in which it will be possible to carry a handgun purchased without any special authorisation.

Sophie Novack @SophieNovack

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Courts blocked 6 week abortion bans elsewhere, but GOP trying new decentralized enforcement in TX bill that allows almost anyone to sue those who "aid or abet" the abortion.

Planned Parenthood & ACLU sued Monday over similar ban in Lubbock. Background: texasobserver.org/planned-parent…

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As regards voluntary terminations of pregnancy, the governor of Texas has signed a law banning them beyond the sixth week of pregnancy. "The law now ensures that every unborn child with a detectable heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion," Abbott declared. There are furthermore no exceptions. Not even in cases of incest or sexual violence.

The question of the United States Supreme Court

It should be noted that other states had also adopted legislation along the same lines. This is the case, for example, of Louisiana and Georgia. In those cases, however, the laws were struck down by judges, as they conflicted with the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States, which has recognised a right to abortion up to a maximum of the 24th week of pregnancy. It will be necessary to verify, however, whether the same Court will change its position, following the appointment of three conservative justices at Donald Trump's behest.