The Texas Supreme Court has upheld the Texas State Fair’s right to ban firearms on its premises, rejecting a challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The high court ruled that the State Fair, as a private entity, can enforce the policy despite operating on government-leased property, as the Daily Caller reports.
On Thursday, court documents revealed the court's decision, which turned down Paxton’s final appeal aimed at reversing the State Fair’s no-gun policy. The policy was instituted after a shooting at the fair in October 2023 that left three people injured. Paxton had argued that the right to carry guns extended to the fairgrounds, which are public property leased to a private organization.
Paxton’s legal challenge began in August when he sued both the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas. He claimed the city, which owns Fair Park, had no right to contract away the public’s Second Amendment rights by allowing a private entity to ban guns. His lawsuit sought to challenge the fair’s ban as an infringement on the right to self-defense.
The court, however, ruled that Paxton’s case lacked sufficient grounds to overturn the State Fair’s policy. Justice Jimmy Blacklock, in the court’s opinion, emphasized that the State Fair, while leasing public land, retained its authority to regulate its events as a private organization. Paxton’s argument did not effectively address this aspect of the fair’s status.
Blacklock also noted that while there could be influence from Dallas city officials, there was no direct ruling on whether the city had improperly influenced the decision. The court left open the possibility for further debate on the matter but did not issue a final judgment on that aspect.
The State Fair of Texas implemented its firearm ban after an October 2023 shooting at the fair’s food court. The incident involved Cameron Turner, who claimed self-defense after injuring three people with a firearm. Following this event, the fair strengthened its security protocols and confirmed its no-gun policy for the 2024 fair season.
Despite the ban, the State Fair of Texas allows active and retired peace officers to carry firearms on the premises. The organization highlighted that its policy aligns with those of other large public gatherings, such as concerts and sporting events.
The fair’s spokesperson also stated that this lawsuit was not about gun rights but rather about property rights and the interpretation of Texas law, specifically section 411.209(a) of the Texas Government Code. The fair reiterated its neutral stance on the issue of gun ownership and emphasized that the case involved legal, not political, questions.
Despite the court's ruling, Paxton made it clear he is not giving up. In a statement following the decision, he said, "This case is not over. I will continue to fight this on the merits to uphold Texans’ ability to defend themselves, which is protected by state law." He also suggested that this issue would be revisited in the Texas Legislature, where he intends to push for legislation protecting gun rights on public property.
Paxton has consistently argued that municipalities like Dallas cannot contract away fundamental rights. The State Fair of Texas, however, maintains that its policy is lawful and necessary. "This policy is similar to that of most mass community gathering events like athletic competitions, concerts, and other fairs throughout the state and across the nation," the organization said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Paxton’s fight against the gun ban brings up a broader conversation about the balance between public safety and gun rights at large events. While the State Fair of Texas has opted for stricter security measures, many Texans, including Paxton, believe the right to self-defense should not be compromised, even at private events held on public property.
For now, the Texas Supreme Court’s decision affirms the right of private entities like the State Fair of Texas to enforce their own rules regarding firearms, but the conversation is far from over. As Paxton continues to challenge the decision, this legal battle may influence future policies at other public events across the state.
