Wednesday morning, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter warning the City of Dallas to change the new State Fair firearms policy, or he would file a lawsuit.
In the letter, Paxton said the new policy to ban guns to everyone except retired and current peace officers violates state law and unlawfully infringes on Second Amendment Rights.
"Texas law clearly states that license-to-carry holders may not be prevented from carrying a firearm on property owned or leased by the government unless otherwise prevented by state statute,” said Paxton in a statement Wednesday. “The State Fair of Texas’s recent policy that infringes on LTC holders’ Second Amendment rights is unlawful. Dallas has fifteen days to fix the issue, otherwise, I will see them in court.”
The State Fair of Texas rolled out a new policy last week in response to a shooting in the food court last October that left several people injured.
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City officials told NBC 5 on Thursday morning, "We are reviewing the letter from the Texas Attorney General’s Office and will respond accordingly."
During Wednesday’s Dallas City Council Meeting, Councilman Adam Bazaldua addressed the letter, calling it ‘partisan politics.’
“I believe that keeping our residents safe, especially in such mass-populated areas, needs to be a consideration of ours,” Bazaldua said. “We’ve seen time and time again how things have been able to slip through the cracks.”
The new policy comes almost a year after a man injured three people in a shooting at the fair during operating hours. State Fair Grounds fall inside Bazaldua’s district.
“In my opinion, instead of putting the onus on minimum wage employees who are at the door that we’re expecting to keep hundreds of thousands of people safe at a time, instead of allowing things to slip through the cracks, let’s provide some consistency,” he said.
Bazaldua said the State Fair has the autonomy to enact this policy.
“I think that the State Fair of Texas has answered a problem with a solution,” he said.
The changes have been met with criticism by Republican Texas House Lawmakers who've pressured the State Fair of Texas to change it.
“We have plenty of time for them to reconsider. I think they have said or indicated that they don’t plan to do that but hopefully, with enough pressure and people speaking out, they will change their minds," said Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian).
Regarding Paxton's letter, on Wednesday, the State Fair of Texas said in a statement, "We are aware that the Texas Attorney General’s Office sent a letter to the City of Dallas about the recent announcement concerning firearms at the annual State Fair. It appears from the letter that the Attorney General’s Office is seeking clarification regarding the city’s relationship with the State Fair of Texas – a private, not-for-profit organization – and the State Fair’s use of Fair Park under a long-term lease agreement between the two parties. We have not spoken with the city yet but stand ready to cooperate with them as needed."
NBC 5 contacted the Dallas Police Department about the security update. They referred us back to the fair and city officials.
State Rep. Venton Jones (D-Dallas, District 100) released a statement in response to Paxton's letter late Wednesday evening:
"The Attorney General has the authority to launch any investigation they deem necessary. When it comes to the best interests and safety of the patrons of the State Fair of Texas, I trust our Board of Directors. I am confident that the State Fair of Texas and its board are fully compliant with Texas laws. I look forward to a safe and successful State Fair and encourage everyone to enjoy House District 100 during their visit."
Licensed and retired peace officers will still be allowed to carry guns inside the State Fair of Texas.
