The United States Supreme Court's decision last week to leave in place a Texas law banning most abortions gives states a chance to restrict other rights, including gun ownership.To do that, states could pass laws copying the Texas law's enforcement procedure.It is unclear how many states will actually do so.The Republican-supported Texas law takes enforcement away from state officials.That way, the law avoids judicial review.Instead, the law permits private citizens to sue anyone who performs or assists a woman in getting an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.The law awards $10,000 to citizens for successful lawsuits.The Texas law was designed to be difficult for courts to block because it removed state officials from enforcement.That makes it hard to know who to sue and get a ruling that would end it statewide.The Supreme Court largely accepted the enforcement structure.But the court is permitting abortion providers to continue with a legal challenge aimed at some medical licensing officials.The Center for Reproductive Rights is a legal group in favor of abortion rights.
