Texas AG Paxton Threatens Dallas over State Fair Gun Ban

Texas AG Ken Paxton is at it again, this time threatening the city of Dallas with legal action if it doesn't bend to his extreme pro-gun agenda. In a news release Tuesday, Paxton asserted that the State Fair of Texas' new policy prohibiting firearms at the annual event is "unlawful" and gave the city 15 days to rescind the decision or face his office in court.

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. The State Fair of Texas’s recent policy that infringues on LTC holders’ Second Amendment rights is unlawful. Dallas has fifteen days to fix the issue, otherwise I will see them in court. - Texas AG Ken Paxton

It's outrageous that Paxton would use his position of power to push for more guns in a public space, especially after a shooting incident at last year's state fair that injured three people. The fair's governing board made a responsible decision to prioritize the safety of its over 2.3 million attendees by implementing a no-guns policy, but Paxton and his Republican cronies are more concerned with pandering to their conservative base than keeping people safe.

The fairground, Fair Park, is owned by the city of Dallas and is a massive 277-acre space that hosts various events, including the State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl. While guns may be prohibited at specific venues within Fair Park, the fair's policy extends to the entire grounds, which Paxton claims is a violation of state law.

In a show of unity, 61 Republican state lawmakers and 10 GOP statehouse candidates joined Paxton in demanding the fair rescind its gun ban. Their statement, released Monday, demonstrates a troubling prioritization of gun rights over public safety:

Our office recognizes that the Cotton Bowl and other buildings or premises located within or on Fair Park that would be used for a high school, collegiate, professional sporting or interscholastic events would be premises where weapons are prohibited. However, the entirety, or vast majority of the 277-acre Fair Park in Dallas is not a place where weapons are prohibited under [state law]. - Letter from Texas AG Ken Paxton to the city of Dallas

The State Fair of Texas released a statement standing by their decision, citing the need to "constantly evaluat[e] our security plans" and implement "the most up-to-date recommended security practices for special events of our size." They also highlighted that, as a private organization, they have the right to prohibit all fairgoers from carrying firearms, regardless of license or permit.

It's disgusting to see AG Paxton and Republican lawmakersbullying a private organization and a city for taking reasonable steps to protect people's lives. Their obsession with guns knows no bounds, and they would rather risk more gun violence than give up an inch of their extremist ideology.

Sources:

• Attorney General Paxton Sends Letter Opposing State Fair of Texas’ Decision To Prohibit Lawful Firearm Carry
• [State Fair of Texas bans guns, even for licensed carriers, citing safety](https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2023/09/05/state-fair-texas-guns-banned-licensed-carriers/11914391/090523 STM CRIME LIFESTYLE PF/