A Dallas County district judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas concerning newly implemented gun restrictions. These restrictions were established following a shooting incident in 2023 that left three individuals injured at the fairgrounds.
Judge Emily Tobolowsky ruled in favor of the city and the fair during a hearing on June 24, granting a summary judgment that prevents the case from moving to trial. Prior to this ruling, the judge had already rejected Paxton’s request to halt the enforcement of the fair’s gun policy for the upcoming year.
This decision followed the guilty plea from Cameron Turner, a 23-year-old man charged in connection to the shooting. On June 23, Turner admitted to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was also convicted for carrying a weapon in a restricted area. He is set to serve concurrent sentences of 12 and 10 years.
Despite Paxton’s efforts to intervene, both an appeals court and the Texas Supreme Court had also refused his requests to block the new gun restrictions. The previous policy allowed attendees with valid handgun licenses to carry concealed weapons at the fair.
In a statement, Karissa Condoianis, a spokesperson for the State Fair, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing that the fair does not take a political stance regarding the issues surrounding lawful firearm possession in Texas. “Last year, the State Fair adopted a gun policy consistent with those at many similar events across the state, including concerts and sports,” Condoianis noted.
She added that the fair allocates substantial resources yearly for safety and security measures. Plans to collaborate with the Dallas Police Department, as well as law enforcement officers who can carry firearms within the fairgrounds, will remain in place.
Paxton’s lawsuit claimed that the city’s actions and the State Fair’s restrictions infringed on state law and the Second Amendment rights of licensed gun owners during the fair’s 24-day duration. In a previous statement, he argued against municipalities’ ability to circumvent state laws or evade responsibility through contracts with third parties.
The ruling occurs against the backdrop of a failed legislative effort. Senate Bill 1065 aimed to limit the State Fair’s authority to impose such restrictions, but it did not advance for a floor vote in the House.
The Texas Tribune has reached out for comments from both the City of Dallas and Paxton’s office but is still awaiting a response.
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