Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has voiced his intent to persist in the legal battle over the right of Texans to carry firearms on government-owned or leased land. This follows a decision by the Texas Supreme Court, which has now permitted the City of Dallas to support the State Fair of Texas in enforcing a firearms ban as the ongoing litigation unfolds.
Previously, on September 25, Paxton had sought immediate intervention from the state's highest court by filing a petition for a court order. This action came after the Fifteenth Court of Appeals declined to halt the enforcement of what Paxton deems an unlawful ban. The Texas Attorney General's Office released a statement, emphasizing Paxton's stance, "Texans have a right to lawfully carry and the City of Dallas has no authority to contract their rights away to a private entity."
Not bowing to the Supreme Court's recent ruling, Paxton declared, "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 pointed to current Texas legislation that ostensibly prohibits gun bans of such sort, articulating a commitment to collaborate with the Texas Legislature this session to ensure the protection of lawful citizens' Second Amendment rights on public property.
While the conversation around gun laws continues to be a point of contention in Texas politics, the legal proceedings cited by Paxton suggest a complex intersection of state law, municipal authority, and the Second Amendment. As the Attorney General gears up for further legal challenges, proponents on either side of the debate are keeping a close watch, understanding that the implications are likely to extend beyond the fairgrounds of Texas and into the broader narrative of gun rights in America.