The Texas State Fair just passed a new law regarding millions of visitors who join in the festivities every year to enjoy corn dogs, deep-fried treats, and a photo with Big Tex.
The decision will now stop anyone with a gun from entering the fairgrounds. The decision quickly garnered outrage from Republican lawmakers who have fought hard in recent years to expand gun rights in Texas.
Reasons for the Decision
The decision from the fair organizers comes from a recent shooting just last year on the 277-acre fairgrounds in Dallas.
The state’s attorney general even threatened a lawsuit unless the fair overturned the changes. Ken Paxton, the state’s Republican attorney general said in a statement that “Dallas has fifteen days to fix the issue, otherwise I will see them in court.”
The Fair Is Holding onto The Ban
The fair will open in September and last for almost a month. The beloved festivities date back to 1886. The fair has been known as a family-friendly event with Big Tex, the giant cowboy statue, and an annual college football game between rivals the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.
The decision comes as a way to make the fairgrounds safer after a recent shooting. The fair organizers have not backed down after announcing the news at a press conference last week despite being threatened by lawmakers.
Shooting at the Fair Last Year
Last year, a shooting occurred at the food booths, which immediately ruined the festive atmosphere. Investigators of the incident say that one ma opened fire on another and injured three people in the process.
The police were forced to clear the fairgrounds for the weekend. Videos of the event were posted on social media, showing people running along sidewalks and climbing barriers to escape the danger.
Not a Controversial Decision
A spokesperson for the fair, Karissa Condoianis, says that the decision has brought on “both criticism and praise.” However, she also stated that the event previously allowed concealed carry of firearms “even after virtually all other public events ceased to allow the same.”
“This is the right decision moving forward to ensure a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere,” Condoianis said.
Republican Lawmakers Try To Push the Decision
Republican lawmakers in the state signed a letter with the support of more than 70 legislators, arguing that the ban would make the fairgrounds less safe.
They also argue that the decision was “anything but a celebration of Texas.” In recent years, Texas legislators have worked tirelessly to expand gun rights in the state.
Does the Ban Infringe on Rights?
A separate letter was sent to the City of Dallas, where Paxton argued that the decision infringed on the rights of gun owners in the state.
As the city owns the fairgrounds where the event takes place, Paxton argued that gun owners should be allowed to carry their firearms on government-owned or leased property unless otherwise prohibited by law. The decision to remove firearms by the fair is made by a private company, not a governing entity.
Private Businesses Also Have Rights
Condoianis also said that the fair is a private, not-for-profit organization; “it is not a government entity nor does a government entity control it.”
She and the other fair organizers are well aware of Paxton’s letter to the city. They are also aware that Paxton is investigating the relationship between the fair and the city, although there is a long-term lease agreement between the two parties.
Fair Organizers Think the Fair Will Be More Safe
The spokesperson also noted that the ban will not make the fair less safe; it will, in fact, have the opposite effect. Similar policy measures have been implemented at large community gatherings such as sporting events, concerts, and even presidential rallies.
She went on to explain that more than 200 uniformed and armed Dallas police officers and fair safety team members will constantly patrol the fairgrounds and check bags at entrances. A short screening process will take place before visitors are admitted to the entrance, which is standard operating procedure for large gatherings like music festivals.
The Fair Will Still Embody the Heart of Texas
Brian Franklin, the associate director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, said the fair is still a “microcosm of the kind of mystique that comes with Texas.”
The fair will still pique the desires of Texans to emphasize the state’s rural cowboy heritage and be on the cutting edge of technology. “You can go to the hall where it’s all the most amazing new cars and maybe other exhibits about technology,” he said, “and then you can also go and see the show cows.”
Private Companies Can Make Private Decisions
Unfortunately for state lawmakers, the fair, being a private company, can make decisions about its own event.
Other weapons that are not allowed inside the fairgrounds are knives and blades over 5.5 inches long, clubs, explosive devices, ammunition, chemical dispensing devices, replicas, or hoaxes.
Arguments To Allow Guns Into the Fair
Legislators, the NRA, Gun Owners of America, and other gun rights advocates say that gun-free zones are more susceptible to crime as they present less of a threat to attackers.
However, there is little evidence to support this position. Outside of the shooting last year, the fair does not regularly record any crimes other than minor incidents of petty theft.
