By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the City of Dallas and State Fair of Texas over a new gun policy prohibiting firearms, knives with blades over 5.5 inches, and other weapons and ammunition at the fair.
The lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Dallas County.
The State Fair posts a “Guest Code of Conduct” on its website. According to the rules, “Entry to the fairgrounds is contingent on a security screening process. All guests will be screened for weapons either by a walk-through or hand-held detection device. Bags, purses, coolers, and similar containers will be searched to determine if any illegal, prohibited, or suspicious items are present that may pose a safety or security concern within the property. For a full list of prohibited items, visit: BigTex.com/FAQ.” As detailed on the website:
“The State Fair of Texas prohibits fairgoers from carrying all firearms, knives with blades over 5.5 inches long, clubs, explosive devices, ammunition, chemical dispensing devices, replicas or hoaxes, or weapons of any kind. This includes concealed carry and open carry of firearms anywhere on the fairgrounds including Cotton Bowl Stadium. This policy does not include elected, appointed, or employed peace officers.
How will the State Fair enforce this new policy?
- The State Fair is working diligently with its security partners to plan for the implementation of this policy.
- Security team members will receive ample training to enforce this new policy. In addition, the State Fair has made significant financial investments in the security technology OPENGATE ® – a innovative Weapons Detection System designed for screening people as well as their bags. OPENGATE is one piece of the overall security screening process at every entry gate.
How is the weapons policy different from last year?
- Previously, our weapons policy allowed licensed concealed carry. Now it does not.
Why did the Fair change its weapons policy?
- Every year, the State Fair of Texas has an ongoing safety and security assessment, adding and adjusting security measures to ensure a safe environment for all fairgoers, employees, and vendors. For us to continue offering a safe event for all, we feel this is an important measure to implement.
- Other events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and Rodeo Austin follow similar weapons policies as well.”
According to CBS News, the lawsuit alleges the weapons ban is illegal under state law. Paxton reportedly sent a letter to the City of Dallas, which owns Fair Park where the state fair is held, explaining, “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.”
But the State Fair of Texas notes on its website, “The State Fair of Texas works with DPD, DFR, DART Police, DISD Police, regional, state, and federal partners as well as private security partners to help keep fairgoers, employees, and vendors safe. While each of the entities focuses on ensuring a safe and family-friendly environment at the State Fair of Texas, we also ask that everyone remain ‘Fair Aware.’ If you see something that doesn’t look right on the fairgrounds, please say something to a uniformed police officer or State Fair Safety Team member. Let’s all do our part to keep the State Fair safe.”
When he announced the lawsuit, Paxton’s office issued a statement in which he said, “Municipalities cannot nullify state law nor can they avoid accountability by contracting official functions to nominally third parties,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Neither the City of Dallas nor the State Fair of Texas can infringe on Texans’ right to self-defense. I warned fifteen days ago that if they did not end their unlawful conduct I would see them in court, and now I will.”
