Attempt to block State Fair of Texas gun ban denied by judge

A Dallas judge has denied Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to block a new policy banning guns at the State Fair of Texas. Judge Emily Tobolowsky ruled against the Attorney General’s push for an injunction during a hearing on Thursday morning.

The new policy will prevent license-to-carry holders from bringing firearms onto the fairgrounds. Paxton’s team argued that the State Fair is held on public property where gun rights are protected, and claimed the policy violates state law since the City of Dallas owns Fair Park.

However, the State Fair of Texas, a nonprofit organization that leases Fair Park from the City of Dallas for 24 days each year, contends that it is not a state agency and thus is not subject to state gun regulations.

In 2016, Paxton had previously supported nonprofits’ rights to impose such bans. He had issued a non-binding opinion allowing the Fort Worth Zoo to ban concealed carry. However, Paxton withdrew this opinion on September 10, shortly before suing Dallas over the fair’s gun policy.

City of Dallas attorney Jeff Tillotson noted that Paxton’s action was unusual, stating, “[Attorney General Paxton] has never withdrawn an opinion. You have to go back to Greg Abbott many years ago based on statute.”

The Attorney General’s office may appeal the decision to the Dallas Court of Appeals or directly to the state Supreme Court due to the urgency of the matter.

Mitchell Glieber, President of the State Fair of Texas, acknowledged the ongoing nature of the dispute but affirmed readiness for the event. “We are just ready to turn our attention to the State Fair of Texas. Eight days away from opening, we are ready to go,” he said, emphasizing the fair’s focus on ensuring safety for all attendees.

The State Fair of Texas is set to begin on September 27.