Opinion

Dear NRA Members:

We previously reported to you on the announcement of a new policy banning License To Carry holders from possessing firearms at the Texas State Fair, property which is owned by the City of Dallas but contracted out to a nonprofit entity (the State Fair of Texas) to run the annual event in the fall.

This week, Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the city, directing it to end this policy, which violates state law prohibiting restrictions on the carrying of firearms on property owned or leased by a governmental entity unless those premises are specifically enumerated as prohibited locations under Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 (note that the Texas State Fair does not meet the criteria for an “amusement park”, which is one of the prohibited locations in 46.03.)  Paxton also warned the city that unless the wrongful exclusion of LTC holders is corrected within 15 days, he will file suit to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties under Texas Government Code Section 411.209.

NRA-ILA thanks General Paxton for taking swift and decisive action to enforce state law and protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Texans!

We also reported to you earlier this week that over 70 GOP state lawmakers and legislative candidates sent a letter to the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors urging them to rescind this misguided policy.  Today, State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) and State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) submitted a request for an opinion from the Texas Attorney General asking whether political subdivisions of the state can legally create and enforce restrictions on the carrying of firearms on public property not listed in Texas Penal Code Section 46.03, simply by leasing the premises to a nonprofit or other private entity.

NRA-ILA appreciates the efforts of pro-gun lawmakers and candidates for legislative office to push back against the creation of more unsafe “gun-free zones”; we look forward to working with you to defend our Second Amendment rights during the 2025 session of the Texas Legislature!

Texas AG Paxton Directs City of Dallas to End Gun Carry Ban at State Fair

About NRA-ILA:

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org