State Fair of Texas no longer allowing guns on fairgrounds
DALLAS - The State Fair of Texas says it will ban guns on its grounds in the wake of a shooting that injured three people last year.
Fair officials announced the update on Thursday while outlining the fair’s new safety and security policies.
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Because the State Fair of Texas is a private, not-for-profit organization, it can prohibit firearms within the fairgrounds.
That includes gun owners with a license to carry or who practice constitutional carry, concealed carry and open carry.
Other weapons, such as illegal knives, clubs, explosives, ammunition, and even replica or hoax weapons, are prohibited as well.
In the past, the fair prohibited weapons on the property but made exceptions for licensed gun owners. That won't be the case in 2024.
The only exception will be for peace officers with credentials.
"We accept people's rights, and we are in support of those," said fair spokesperson Karissa Condoianis. "This is just a measure to create a further family-friendly atmosphere."
Last year, State Fair of Texas officials were forced to review its weapons policy because of a shooting in the food court that injured three people.
Police say 22-year-old Cameron Turner opened fire. They say he did not have a license to carry, which would have allowed him to have a gun.
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Fair officials say nearly a year later, they still don't know how turner got the gun onto the fair property.
"We unfortunately may never know how the gunman got the gun inside the State Fair of Texas," Condoianis said. "After the investigation was completed, that has not been determined."
Turner is set to go to trial in late October.
The OpenGate weapons detection scanners will return for the second year instead of traditional metal detectors at fair entrances.
The fair says they will redesign the gates to better funnel guests through those scanners and aim cameras at the contracted security staff to ensure they are doing their jobs.
"For us to continue offering a safe event for all we believe this is an important measure to implement. All other Texas events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo and Rodeo Austin follow similar weapons prohibition policies as well," said Jeff Cotner, the fair's director of security.
Fair officials believe those measures, paired with the new gun policy, will make a difference.
State Fair of Texas changes bag policy
The State Fair of Texas will have a new bag policy this year for fairgoers.
The new policy limits bags to 9x10x12 inches or smaller.
Medical bags for things like insulin, portable oxygen, or breast pumps and bags for parents with small children will be the exception to that rule.
They can be larger than the bag limit but will be searched.
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All other bags may be searched as well.
The size limit also applies to soft-shell coolers, which can no longer contain loose ice. Only ice packs or clear-bagged ice will be allowed.
Fair officials are planning to add more signs at entryways to make sure fairgoers know what to expect as they walk through security.
State Fair of Texas minor chaperone policy returns
The minor’s policy that was introduced in 2023 is also returning. All visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone over 21 years old after 5 p.m.