DALLAS, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has followed through on his threat to sue the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas over what he says is the fair’s “unlawful” prohibition of firearms on the property.
Earlier in August, Paxton released a statement saying the city had “fifteen days to fix the issue. Otherwise, I will see them in court.”
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Fair officials and law enforcement announced the policy change a year after a gunman opened fire at the fair, injuring three people. The fair also announced it will have cameras at entrances for the security process and will not provide lockers or bag checks for larger bags.
Paxton said Dallas and the State Fair have refused to comply with state law.
In a press release, Paxton argues the ban is illegal because Fair Park is owned by the City of Dallas which contracts with the State Fair of Texas for the management of the annual fair. Since state law permits gun owners to carry in places owned or leased by government entities unless otherwise statutorily prohibited, the ban is an unlawful infringement on Texans’ legal rights.
Paxton has asked a court to grant injunctive relief to prevent Dallas or the State Fair from enforcing the ban.
“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.”