In this light, many were shocked to learn that the wildly popular State Fair of Texas now bans nearly all weapons, including for concealed carry permit holders.
Earlier this month, State Fair officials announced that even “holders of a license to carry, constitutional carry [and] concealed carry” are prohibited from exercising their rights on the property during the event.
This obviously does not sit well with many Texans, including Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). He is threatening legal action against the City of Dallas if the State Fair does not rescind its prohibition on firearms.
Paxton made his position clear in a Wednesday news release.
The AG described the blanket ban as “unlawful” and declared the city has 15 days to rectify the situation, “otherwise I will see them in court.”
Though the annual gathering is the State Fair of Texas, the City of Dallas owns the Fair Park property. Last year’s three-week event was marred when an accused shooter, 22-year-old Cameron Turner, allegedly fired shots in the food court area and injured three festival-goers.
The arrest warrant described security video footage that did not corroborate Turner’s description of the incident as one of self-defense.
Either way, Dallas officials responded to the alarming act with a sweeping ban on all firearms except those possessed by current or retired police officers.
Paxton declared in his letter that his office would “seek injunctive relief and collect civil penalties” if the restriction is not lifted. “Texas law clearly states that license-to-carry holders may not be prevented from carrying a firearm on property owned or leased by the government unless otherwise prevented by state statute.”
City officials only responded that they received the letter.
Fair organizers released a statement expressing their belief that the issue concerns “the city’s relationship with the State Fair of Texas and the fair’s use of Fair Park under the two sides’ lease agreement.”
The AG’s office noted that some of Fair Park’s buildings, including the Cotton Bowl, are off-limits to firearms. That is due to high school and college football games being played there.
However, the “vast majority” of the facility falls under the state mandate to allow lawful concealed carry on government-owned properties.
Dozens of state lawmakers signed a petition urging the State Fair to rescind its new rule. The writing declared that “gun-free zones are magnets for crime because they present less of a threat to those who seek to do evil.”
The legislators added that the prohibition does not represent Texas values.
Fair officials argued to local media that they would stand their ground on the carry issue after last year’s violent incident despite the state law. Public relations president Karissa Condoianis said the event will feature hundreds of armed police officers and 100 retired law enforcement personnel to ensure safety.
She said this would augment Dallas Police officers and private security.
But critics charge that the State Fair is only diminishing the safety of attendees by not allowing armed self-defense. One of those who believe officials are in error is State Rep. Brian Harrison (R), who demands that the policy be withdrawn.
“They are making the wrong decision, no doubt about it,” Harrison explained. “I share their goal in maximizing safety, but what they’ve done is actually reduce safety.”
Texas Gun Rights, a Second Amendment advocacy group, charged that the prohibition was nothing more than a “feel-good attempt” to show that officials had done something to enhance security.
The State Fair of Texas opens on September 27.
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