Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, on Tuesday threatened legal action against the city of Dallas if the Texas State Fair, the nonprofit that puts on the annual event, does not reverse a new policy banning open and concealed carry of firearms at next month’s state fair.
Paxton argued that because the State Fair takes place in Fair Park (owned by the city of Dallas and leased to a nonprofit), the event is still subject to a Texas law that prohibits the government from blocking gun permit holders from accessing government property.
“As you are aware, the State Fair of Texas has announced that Licensed Carry-Through (LTC) holders will not be able to bring firearms to the fair,” Mayor Paxton wrote in a letter to Dallas Interim City Manager Kimberly Tolbert on Tuesday.
“Our office believes that this statement from the State Fair of Texas means that the City of Dallas (a political subdivision of the state) prohibits licensees from entering or remaining in any building or other place owned or leased by the City of Dallas in violation of Texas Government Code Section 411.209(a),” he continued.
Mayor Paxton said Tuesday that the city must rescind the policy for the state fair within 15 days or the city will sue for an injunction and seek civil penalties of $1,000 to $1,500 for each day the policy is in place. The fair runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20.
“We are reviewing the letter from the Texas Attorney General’s office and will respond accordingly,” a city of Dallas spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.
State Fair spokeswoman Carisa Kondoiannis said the organization is “aware of” Paxton’s letter and “stands ready to work with the City of Dallas as appropriate.”
But Kondoiannis clarified that the organization is independent of city government, adding, “It appears from this letter that the Attorney General’s office is seeking clarification about the city’s relationship with the State Fair of Texas.”
“The State Fair of Texas has always been and will always be a private organization. As a private, non-profit organization, the State Fair of Texas leases land from the City of Dallas for the event. The State Fair is not a government entity and is not controlled by any government agency. As such, decisions regarding weapons at the fair are made by a volunteer board of directors that represents a variety of perspectives from throughout the community,” she said.
The Texas State Fair passed the new policy this year after a man opened fire in a crowded food court last year, wounding three people. The suspect was Call the police He was protecting his family.
Kondoiannis opposed suggestions that the Texas State Fair would become “gun-free,” noting that the State Fair spends millions of dollars each year on “safety and security measures” and that more than 200 uniformed and armed officers are on standby at the fair “whenever our gates are open.”
“The State Fair of Texas has long been, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of Texans’ rights to responsible gun ownership,” Kondoyiannis said.
“We understand that this is an important issue for many Texans and that the fair’s decision may disappoint potential fair-goers who regularly and responsibly practice concealed handgun licenses or constitutional gun ownership,” she added, “however, the fair strongly believes that this is the right decision to ensure a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere.”
