You can’t have a dildo collection. Sorry, but in Texas, the possession of sex toys is regulated. The Lone Star State has banned the possession of or promoting the use of more than six dildos. Why is six the magic number? We’re not sure, but that’s Texas for ya – it’s a hell of a lot easier to own lots of guns than lots of dildos. Photo via Flickr / Nik Morris (van Leiden) Credit: Flickr / Nik Morris
Texas Republicans have declared war on personal pleasure devices, filing two separate bills this legislative session aimed at regulating the sale of vibrators and dildos.

Senate Bill 3003, filed by State Sen. Angela Paxton — a McKinney Republican married to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — takes aim at online retailers who sell sex toys. If passed, her proposal would require such businesses to use an age-verification process to confirm that the person purchasing the goods is at least 18.

The second bill, HB 1549, filed by State Rep. Hillary Hickman, R-Midland, would ban retailers from selling “obscene devices” unless they’re a “sexually oriented” business. That ban would affect mainstream retailers who offer sexual health devices, among them Walmart, Target, CVS and Spencer’s.

For reference, sexually oriented businesses under Texas law include adult bookstores, adult video stores and sex shops.

The penalty for violating both laws, if passed, is a fine of up to $5,000. What’s more, businesses caught selling sex toys to those under 18 would face a Class A misdemeanor charge.

Both bills come after the Texas legislature passed HB 1181 last session. That law requires that adult-content websites, including PornHub, use an age verification service to confirm users are over 18 years old.

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter| Or sign up for our RSS Feed

Related Stories

This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...