Say it ain’t so: The Texas State Fair has a brand-new rule this summer banning guns on the premises. Apparently spooked by a shooting last year on the fair grounds’ 277 acres in Dallas, the governing board decided the best way to stop bad guys with guns was to make sure good guys could not have them, either.
Republican lawmakers are not happy and it’s easy to see why, as Texas is well-known for its independent cowboy spirit. The state has largely resisted increasing crack downs on firearms from liberals, which makes the decision by the state fair even more vexing for the GOP.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said this rule is not going to fly, and he’s put the fair on notice that it has just two weeks to rescind the rule. If they don’t go back on it within that period, Paxton said, “I will see them in court.”
While more than 70 state Republican lawmakers sent the fair a letter urging them to reconsider, pointing out that the rule would actually make fair-goers less safe, Paxton is backing it up with the force of law. He sent his own letter claiming the ban is a violation of the rights of gun owners under state law. State law allows anyone to carry a gun on land that is either owned by or leased to the state government, which is the case for the state fair grounds.
The fair has not yet officially responded, saying that it is considering Paxton’s letter and will have a response soon.
The state fair has taken place every year since 1886, and has a long history of hosting gun-toting cowboys and girls. But last year a shooting broke out near the section with food stands. One man started shooting at another, and three people ended up wounded and the fairgrounds had to be temporarily closed.
On August 14, speaking on behalf of the fair organizers, Karissa Condoianis said the new policy has brought “both criticism and praise.” Despite the backlash, Condoianis said the new ban is “the right decision” to “ensure a safe environment” and what she calls a “family-friendly atmosphere.”
It is not clear how depriving law-abiding citizens of their right to carry a weapon will accomplish this, nor how the policy would deter those with criminal intent, a population not known for obeying the law.
