Thread by @TexasTribune

The U.S. Supreme Court allowing Texas' abortion law to remain intact creates a roadmap for other states that may seek to limit other constitutional rights, legal experts say.

On Saturday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom took a step toward that prediction. Here's how we got here:

2/ Though the constitutional right to an abortion has been recognized by federal courts since Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago, Texas' law is designed to get around that.

It's enforced by lawsuits brought by private citizens rather than the state. bit.ly/3EMBkmR

3/ Under the law, anyone can sue anyone who performs, aids or intends to aid in an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy — regardless of whether they have a personal stake in the abortion performed.

It marks an unprecedented change to who has standing to bring a lawsuit.

4/ Supreme Court justices expressed concern about how the law is enforced in November, saying that other states could replicate the enforcement mechanism to cast a chilling effect over other constitutional rights. bit.ly/3oO7s3Z

5/ But on Friday, the court allowed the law to continue to be enforced while also allowing legal challenges against the law to proceed. bit.ly/31V2NnN

6/ We reported last month on how gun rights advocates feared that similar laws could be crafted in other states to target gun ownership: bit.ly/3DOW2kz

7/ Now, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he plans to work with lawmakers in his state to introduce a bill that would allow private citizens to sue anyone who manufactures, distributes or sells assault weapons or ghost guns. Via @calmatters: calmatters.org/newsletters/wh…

8/8 Many fear these laws won’t stop at gun rights or abortion. legal experts say same-sex marriage, religious freedom, freedom of speech and other constitutionally protected rights could be targeted with copycat laws.

Read more: bit.ly/3ym8XcI