Long, slim and lethal, the Colt Walker was America's first sick shooter.

It could kill a man or a horse with a single bullet.

Gunmaker Samuel Colt had gone out of business when Captain Samuel Walker of the Texas Rangers

pitched him an idea for a revolver that would reload faster than any other.

The Rangers placed an order for the first thousand guns, establishing the Colt Walker as

the weapon of choice in the West.

Walker carried two of his brand new revolvers into the war with Mexico in 1847, but he was

killed in battle not long after receiving them.

Colt became one of the wealthiest men in America.

This week, the Colt Walker joined the Lone Star Flag, the Peacantry and Longhorn cattle

as a symbol of Texas after legislators declared it the state's first official handgun.

This is Checks and Balance.

I'm John Prado, the economist's US editor.

Each week, we take one big theme, shaping American politics and explore it in depth.

Today, what does Republican strength in Texas mean for national politics?

The Texas Legislature only meets every two years.

Its later session is wrapping up after passing the most conservative programme for a generation.

The enduring Republican strength in Texas is striking when set against the fallout from

the Trump presidency.

It also upsets predictions that demographic changes would favour Democrats in the South.

What can Texas Republicans teach the national party?

With me to discuss all of this is John Fasman, the US digital editor and Alexandra Switch

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