Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has made a move to challenge the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas on their recent decision to ban firearms at the city-owned Fair Park during the State Fair. Paxton filed an appeal with the 15th Court of Appeals, challenging the legality of this ban, which he sees as a direct violation of Texan gun laws that permit licensed gun owners to carry their weapons in government-owned or leased spaces, according to the Texas Attorney General official website.
Citing the law that allows licensed gun owners to carry on governmental property, the appeal is Paxton’s response to what he deems an unlawful policy set by the State Fair, a move that came after a district court denied Paxton's initial attempt to secure a temporary injunction against the firearm ban. Despite the Court's ruling, and a failed earlier attempt, Paxton persists, expecting the 15th Court of Appeals to grant emergency temporary relief, thus ensuring that handgun-license holders can carry their firearms at the upcoming fair.
In a statement released by his office yesterday, Paxton argued for the upholding of Second Amendment rights. He said, "The City of Dallas and the Texas State Fair are not above the law, and we are seeking emergency relief to uphold Texans’ Constitutionally-protected Second Amendment rights." Paxton further asserted that the policy does not enhance public safety but instead, "it merely gives an advantage to criminals looking for victims."
As the legal challenge progresses, the outcomes may set a precedent for how state law is interpreted in matters of gun regulation on governmental property. For now, the decision of the 15th Court of Appeals will be closely watched by both gun rights proponents and those advocating for stricter gun control on properties where large public gatherings occur.
