Texas AG Paxton Fights State Fair Gun Ban, Pledges To Protect Second Amendment Rights

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is doubling down on his defense of Texans’ gun rights following the Texas Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the State Fair’s firearm ban. Despite the ruling, Paxton filed a lawsuit arguing that the city of Dallas and the fair organizers are violating state law by preventing fairgoers from carrying firearms on public property.

The Texas Supreme Court and the Fifteenth Court of Appeals declined to block the ban, but Paxton has made it clear that the fight is far from over. “This case is not over,” Paxton said. “I will continue to fight this on the merits to uphold Texans’ ability to defend themselves.”

At the heart of Paxton’s legal battle is whether the State Fair, a private entity leasing public property, has the authority to restrict firearm carry under Texas law. The attorney general’s office is pushing for the court to recognize Texans’ right to bear arms on publicly owned or leased land.

Justice Jimmy Blalock pointed out that the state did not directly address whether Texas law requires the fair to permit firearms at such public events. Paxton has since announced that he plans to work with the state legislature to protect citizens’ gun rights at public venues more explicitly.

A full trial on the merits of the state’s case is scheduled for June, and Paxton has vowed to continue fighting until Texans’ Second Amendment rights are fully upheld.