Paxton sues State Fair over guns for off-duty cops
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced last week that he is suing five entertainment venues, including the State Fair of Texas, alleging they violated state law by refusing to allow offduty police officers to enter with guns.
Paxton alleges that the State Fair, Meow Wolf in Grapevine, The Lucky Duck in San Antonio, the Factory in Deep Ellum and Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie didn’t allow off-duty officers to bring firearms on premises. That violates a 2017 law that allows officers to bring weapons whether or not they’re on duty, the lawsuit says.
Before filing a lawsuit, officials with the attorney general’s office wrote that it had received “written confirmations” from the businesses that they would follow Texas law, according to the release. “Despite this, the OAG (Office of the Attorney General) continued receiving complaints from peace officers that these establishments are violating the law,” officials said in the release.
In the suit, the attorney general cited two examples of off-duty officers being restricted since October 2022.
Karissa Condoianis, a State Fair spokesperson, said the venue “takes seriously its legal obligations to allow peace officers to lawfully carry their weapon at the fairgrounds.”
“To that end, the State Fair requires at least one Dallas police officer to be posted at each admission gate to check credentials and ensure compliance,” Condoianis said. “This policy allows peace officers to deal face-to-face with fellow peace officers to ensure compliance and safety for all of our guests.”
She added that the State Fair is looking into the alleged incident referenced in the suit. The fair’s website notes that only those licensed to carry a handgun in a concealed manner can bring a gun to the fairgrounds.
The attorney general did not say how he became aware of the incidents. The office has a form on its website where peace officers can submit complaints.
Paxton wrote that “Texas law must be respected to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens.”
“Peace officers are often well-positioned to prevent and suppress crime, even when they are out of uniform and off duty,” he said.