Current:Home > FinanceJudge denies effort to halt State Fair of Texas’ gun ban-LoTradeCoin
Judge denies effort to halt State Fair of Texas’ gun ban
View Date:2024-12-23 19:22:30
DALLAS (AP) — A judge on Thursday denied a effort by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to halt the recently announced ban on guns at the State Fair of Texas.
Dallas County District Judge Emily Tobolowsky denied the state’s request for a temporary injunction to stop the ban from taking effect when the fair opens next week.
Fair officials’ announcement of the ban last month, which follows a shooting last year at the fair, was met with swift criticism from Republican state lawmakers, who have proudly expanded gun rights in recent years. Texas allows people to carry a handgun without a license, background check or training.
Paxton, a Republican, threatened to sue if the ban wasn’t repealed, and when fair officials stood their ground, he filed a lawsuit against the State Fair of Texas and the City of Dallas. The city owns Fair Park, the 277-acre (112-hectare) grounds where the event is held.
Paxton has called the the ban an illegal restriction on gun owners’ rights, saying Texas allows gun owners to carry firearms in places owned or leased by government entities unless otherwise prohibited by law.
But city officials and fair officials have said the State Fair of Texas is a private nonprofit that leases the property from the city for its event. The city has said that the State Fair of Texas is allowed by law to decide whether or not they chose to allow fair-goers to carry firearms. Fair officials have said the fair is not a government entity, nor is it controlled by one.
Last year three people were injured in the shooting at the fair after one man opened fire on another. Videos posted on social media showed groups of people running along sidewalks and climbing barriers as they fled.
The fair, which runs for nearly a month, dates back to 1886. In addition to a giant Ferris wheel, a maze of midway games and livestock shows, the fairgrounds are home to the annual college football rivalry between the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma. Big Tex, the five-story tall cowboy who greets fairgoers, has become a beloved figure. When the towering cowboy went up in flames in 2012 due to an electrical short, the fair mascot’s return was met with great fanfare.
veryGood! (31763)
Related
- FSU football fires offensive, defensive coordinators, wide receivers coach
- LSU's Flau'jae Johnson thrives on basketball court and in studio off of it
- Visa, Mastercard agree to $30B deal with merchants. What it means for credit card holders.
- She bought a $100 tail and turned her wonder into a magical mermaid career
- 'Treacherous conditions' in NYC: Firefighters battling record number of brush fires
- Riley Strain's Tragic Death: Every Twist in the Search for Answers
- The Bachelor’s Joey and Kelsey Reveal They’ve Nailed Down One Crucial Wedding Detail
- Kraft Heinz Faces Shareholder Vote On Its ‘Deceptive’ Recycling Labels
- Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches
- Demolition crews cutting into first pieces of Baltimore bridge as ship remains in rubble
Ranking
- Karol G addresses backlash to '+57' lyric: 'I still have a lot to learn'
- 2 people charged in connection with house blaze that led to death of NC fire chief
- What's open on Easter 2024? Details on Walmart, Target, Starbucks, restaurants, stores
- State taxes: How to save with credits on state returns
- Don't Miss This Sweet Moment Between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Dads at the Kansas City Chiefs Game
- The wait is over. Purdue defeats Tennessee for its first trip to Final Four since 1980
- Full hotels, emergency plans: Cities along eclipse path brace for chaos
- Not just football: Alabama puts itself on the 'big stage' with Final Four appearance
Recommendation
-
Judge extends the time to indict the driver accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother
-
You Won't Hate These 10 Things I Hate About You Secrets Even a Little Bit—Or Even At All
-
Trump allies hope to raise $33 million at Florida fundraiser, seeking to narrow gap with Biden
-
Women's March Madness Elite Eight schedule, TV, predictions and more for Monday's games
-
Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
-
N.C. State and its 2 DJs headed to 1st Final Four since 1983 after 76-64 win over Duke
-
Still need some solar eclipse glasses before April 8? Here's where you might find some
-
South Carolina's biggest strength is its ability to steal opponents' souls