A Dallas judge on Sept. 19 denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to prevent the nonprofit organization, the State Fair of Texas, from banning fairgoers from carrying firearms this year.
The ruling came with just one week to go until the fair opens on Sept. 27.
Those additions included banning fairgoers—including holders of a License to Carry, Constitutional Carry, and Concealed Carry license—from carrying all firearms at the fair.
The updated policy does not apply to current peace officers or qualified retired peace officers, the nonprofit said.
That law prevents state agencies in Texas from prohibiting licensed firearm holders from accessing property owned or leased by the government.
The Attorney General said Fair Park, where the event will take place, is owned by the city of Dallas while the State Fair of Texas leases the 277-acre grounds from the city over a 24-day period every fall.
That lease agreement “expressly states that the agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and court decisions of the State of Texas,” he said in the lawsuit.
Paxton further argued that Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert acted “without legal or statutory authority” by allowing the State Fair of Texas to prevent people from bringing handguns to city property.
Republicans, Paxton Say Fairgrounds Are ‘Magnets for Crime’
“Neither the City of Dallas nor the State Fair of Texas can infringe on Texans’ right to self-defense,” Paxton said in his statement announcing the lawsuit.
City and fair officials have said the State Fair of Texas is a private nonprofit that leases the property from the city for its event, meaning it is legally allowed to decide whether or not to allow fair-goers to carry firearms.
Fair officials have also said the fair is not a government entity, nor is it controlled by one.
Billed as one of the “largest annual events in the world,” the State Fair of Texas fairgrounds feature a giant Ferris wheel, a maze of midway games, and livestock shows.
They are also home to the annual college football rivalry between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.
The policy change regarding firearms was issued by the State Fair of Texas after a man opened fire at the fair last year, wounding three people, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooter was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault.
The Epoch Times has contacted Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office for comment.
