August 19, 2024
For immediate release
Texas Gun Rights (TXGR) applauds the recent request by Senator Mayes Middleton and Representative Dustin Burrows for an opinion from the Attorney General regarding the legality of the Texas State Fair’s decision to prohibit licensed gun owners from carrying handguns at this year’s event. The Fair’s move to ban law-abiding Texans from carrying handguns for self-defense directly contradicts state law and infringes upon constitutionally protected rights.
This critical request for an opinion follows the Fair’s announcement that firearms, including those carried by licensed individuals, will not be permitted within the fairgrounds. TXGR strongly opposes this policy, highlighting that gun-free zones have historically left individuals defenseless in the face of potential threats.
In a briefing submitted to the Attorney General, TXGR outlined the Fair’s extensive entwinement with the City of Dallas, asserting that the Fair operates as a government contractor and is, therefore, subject to the same legal and constitutional restrictions as a government entity. The Texas Constitution and state law, particularly Tex. Local Gov. Code § 229.001 and Tex. Gov. Code § 411.209, prohibits such restrictions on the carrying of firearms by licensed individuals.
The Fair’s decision to ban firearms comes despite its history of allowing licensed handgun carry. The incident involving Cameron Turner, who illegally carried a firearm and committed aggravated assault, is being used to justify the blanket ban. However, the actions of one individual should not dictate policies that disarm thousands of law-abiding Texans.
“TXGR urges the Attorney General to confirm that the Texas State Fair’s policy is unlawful and to reinforce the rights of Texans to carry firearms for self-defense, said
Texas Gun Rights is the largest “No Compromise” gun rights group in the Lone Star State, celebrating its 10th year of advocating for the protection of Texans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Through grassroots activism and education, TXGR empowers citizens to hold politicians and elected officials accountable for their anti-gun views and policies.
Read the brief here.
