Texas State District Judge Refuses to Block Enforcement of Gun Ban at Texas State Fair

Late Thursday, a Texas state district judge denied Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) request for an injunction to block the State Fair of Texas' firearms ban at Fair Park, where the annual event is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 27.  Paxton's office has filed a notice of accelerated appeal with the 15th Court of Appeals.

Last month, the Office of the Attorney General gave the City of Dallas fifteen days' notice to reverse the State Fair of Texas' announced gun prohibition, or face a lawsuit.  Fair Park is owned by the City of Dallas, which contracts with the State Fair of Texas for the management of the yearly fair.  The attorney general argued that since state law permits gun owners to carry in places owned or leased by government entities unless otherwise statutorily prohibited, the restriction represents an unlawful infringement on Texans’ legal rights.  Dallas and the State Fair refused to comply, triggering the litigation.

On the legislative front, a coalition of more than 70 state legislators and candidates for state office petitioned the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors to rescind its gun ban policy back in August. Additionally, two state lawmakers submitted a request for an opinion from Attorney General Paxton asking whether political subdivisions of the state can legally create and enforce restrictions on the carrying of firearms on public property not listed in Texas Penal Code Section 46.03, simply by leasing the premises to a nonprofit or other private entity.  NRA-ILA will keep you posted on further developments in this case and on this important policy matter.