After Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened to sue the City of Dallas over the State Fair’s new gun policy, which bans firearms, we wonder if Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show, which has a similar policy in place, will also face similar demands.
In a statement from Paxton, he called the State Fair of Dallas’ gun policy “unlawful” and said the city has “fifteen days to fix the issue. Otherwise, I will see them in court.”
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Last week, 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.
The State Fair’s spokesperson, Karissa Condoianis, said previously, the fair allowed gun owners to carry concealed weapons “even after virtually all other public events ceased to allow the same.”
“This is the right decision moving forward to ensure a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere,” Condoianis said.
In a letter to the interim city manager, Paxton said that since Dallas owns Fair Park, the nonprofit’s policy change violates state law, which allows licensed gun owners to carry in places owned or leased by governmental entities, unless otherwise prohibited by state law.
Texas law establishes that schools and courtrooms are considered gun-free zones and allows others, like amusement parks or educational institutions, to institute their bans on firearms.
Paxton did acknowledge that some buildings located on the Fair Park premises, like the Cotton Bowl and other buildings that are used for scholastic events, are areas where guns are prohibited by state law.
The Attorney General’s letter comes after several state lawmakers signed a petition to pressure State Fair officials to rescind the new policy—saying the new policy makes the fair “less safe” because “Gun free zones are magnets for crime, because they present less of a threat to those who seek to do evil.”
Condoianis said that the fair, which is a private, not-for-profit organization, “is not a government entity nor is it controlled by a government entity.” She said they are aware of Paxton’s letter to the city, and that it appears he’s “seeking clarification” on the city’s relationship with the fair and its use of Fair Park under the long-term lease agreement between the two parties. She also mentioned that “The Houston livestock show and rodeo, Rodeo Austin and The San Antonio livestock Show and Rodeo all have similar bans in place banning weapons.”
After that statement, KPRC 2 reached out to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo regarding its gun policy.
“The safety of our guests at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ is always our highest priority. To maintain a secure and family-friendly atmosphere, we prohibit both concealed and open carry of firearms throughout the Rodeo Grounds, including NRG Stadium. In 2024, our annual event welcomed 2.5 million visitors, including thousands of students and families. As a cherished community tradition, we strive to create an environment where all guests feel safe and comfortable.
Our firearms policy is one of many measures we implement that contributes to the safe, welcoming atmosphere that has made our event a beloved Houston institution for generations,” the statement from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo read.
NRG Park, where the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is held, also prohibits weapons and firearms.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo said they are monitoring the situation in Dallas.
The Texas Tribune contributed to this post.