A judge has upheld the State Fair of Texas’ restrictive gun policies enacted last year.
In a ruling last week, Judge Emily Tobolowsky of the 298th Judicial District in Dallas County sided with the State Fair of Texas and the City of Dallas, dismissing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit.
Her ruling was not accompanied by any lengthy explanation.
Paxton’s office first sought to overturn the policy in August 2024, sending Dallas and the fair a notice letter that the fair’s new prohibition on licensed firearms owners carrying was unlawful.
Two weeks later, Paxton’s office filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state against the city and the State Fair over the policy in the 298th Judicial District. Tobolowsky quickly denied their motion for a temporary injunction on the ban, which prompted an appeal to the 15th Circuit.
After the state’s motion was once again denied—this time by the appeals court—Paxton challenged the decision in the Texas Supreme Court. In September 2024, the Supreme Court sided with the lower courts, allowing the gun ban to stay in place as litigation continued.
Tobolowsky’s recent decision serves as a final judgment in the case, barring any further appeals.
Texas Gun Rights President Chris McNutt called Tobolowsky’s ruling an example of “judicial tyranny—plain and simple.”
“A judge just gave the State Fair of Texas a free pass to trample on the Second Amendment, all on public property,” stated McNutt to Texas Scorecard. “Texans have a right to carry, and we won’t stop until that right is respected everywhere—including the State Fair.”
Prior to 2024, the State Fair of Texas had allowed licensed gun owners to carry firearms for more than 135 years.
However, after an unlicensed individual was arrested for allegedly shooting and injuring three others at the event in 2023, the nonprofit operating the fair announced its 2024 event would not permit even licensed individuals to carry firearms.
In addition to Paxton’s legal challenges, a group of over 70 state Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the nonprofit operating the State Fair of Texas asking them to rescind the decision.
During the past legislative session, State Reps. Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park), Tony Tinderholt (R–Arlington), and Nate Schatzline (R–Fort Worth) each introduced legislation aimed at curbing gun bans like the State Fair’s.
However, none of the measures were even considered in committee. Another proposal by State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood) passed the Senate in a 20-11 vote in April, but it too died in the House.
Texas Scorecard reached out to Paxton’s office for comment on the ruling but did not receive a response before publication.
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