Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has swiftly taken legal action against five businesses, alleging they've unlawfully barred law enforcement officers from carrying their weapons on premises. This bold step reaffirms the Texas State's commitment to its code that mandates the allowance of duly authorized firearms carried by peace officers on public-serving properties. Businesses named in the lawsuits include The Factory in Deep Ellum (Dallas), Texas Trust CU Theatre (Grand Prairie), Meow Wolf (Grapevine), The Lucky Duck (San Antonio), and the State Fair of Texas, as reported by the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Paxton's crusade to aggressively enforce the law follows complaints from officers who’ve been prevented from bringing their firearms onto these properties, despite clear legislative directives. Before initiating legal proceedings, the OAG purportedly obtained written affirmations from the establishments in question, who committed to comply with Texas law. However, the same offices appear to have continued to grievously disregard their assurances, as peace officers still report infringements upon their legal rights.
At the core of the conflict is Article 2.1305 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which outlines that a civil penalty of a thousand dollars may be imposed per contravention. The law is designed to protect public safety by leveraging the readiness of officers to respond to crime, irrespective of whether they're on the clock. Referring to these tenets, Attorney General Paxton underscored the importance of adhering to state laws. In a strong statement acquired by the Texas Attorney General's Office, Paxton remarked, "Texas law must be respected to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens."
Moreover, General Paxton expressed the inherent unpredictability of criminal activity, stating, "Criminal activity can occur at any time and any place. Peace officers are often well-positioned to prevent and suppress crime, even when they are out of uniform and off duty." This remark reflects the rationale driving the lawsuits and the broader initiative to unfailingly maintain public security. The OAG is determined to uphold the privileges of peace officers, ensuring their capability to carry armaments while off duty remains uncontested. Officers subject to the abrogation of this statute are directed to report infractions to the OAG by emailing [email protected] or by submitting a formal complaint via the Attorney General's website.
