Texas lawmakers urge State Fair of Texas to reverse gun ban
DALLAS - State lawmakers are putting pressure on State Fair of Texas officials to reverse a gun ban.
Fair officials announced last week that guns will not be allowed inside the fairgrounds.
The fair used to allow licensed gun owners to carry their weapons concealed.
That changes with the new policy.
"We have for a long allowed responsible gun owners with an LTC - License to Carry to conceal carry when they visit the fairgrounds. We are removing that exception, and you cannot conceal or open carry on the fairgrounds moving forward," said Karissa Condoianis, the State Fair's spokeswoman.
Only active and retired peace officers will be authorized to carry within the fairgrounds. Dallas police officers will verify their credentials at the entrances.
The announcement was made last week at a press conference.
State Fair of Texas no longer allowing guns on fairgrounds
Guns will not be allowed inside the State Fair of Texas this year.
MORE: State Fair of Texas News
While many have supported the change, about 70 state lawmakers signed a letter claiming the new policy will make the fair more dangerous.
"We will respond to them directly. We want them to know they are heard, we hear them. However, this is a policy that our Board of Directors, as a non-profit organization that we are managed by, feel this is a measure we need to take to create a safe environment for everyone who is out here," said Condoianis.
The proposal is something the fair says it has discussed for a while, according to Condoianis.
Last year, a gunman shot and injured three people inside the fair’s food court.
The suspect, Cameron Turner, was not licensed and police say he somehow got the gun past security, despite a new metal detection process.
Turner is set to go on trial in late October.
The State Fair of Texas still hasn’t revealed how he got the gun through security, but he did not have a license to carry it.
"The overwhelming majority of mass shootings happen in places where guns are banned. So this is a bad decision and I hope they reconsider it," said Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Ellis County).
Harrison is one of the lawmakers who signed the letter.
[REPORTER: "License to carry holders weren't banned last year and three people were shot. What would be your response to that?"]
"Yeah, and that's tragic. And it's it's really unfortunate. But here's the reality. If we're trying to increase safety, banning firearms, stopping Texans from exercising the second limit is not the correct way to do this. And the data bears this out," said Harrison.
The fair released a statement in response to the letter, saying it adopted a policy similar to that of most mass community gatherings across the country.
Lawmakers want State Fair of Texas to reverse gun ban
A group of state lawmakers is pushing back on the State Fair of Texas' new gun ban. The fair announced the policy change in response to a shooting at the fair last year. But the lawmakers argue the safety measure could make things more dangerous.
"The State Fair of Texas spends millions of dollars per year on safety and security measures. Furthermore, the Dallas Police Department has a substation at Fair Park. A combined total of more than 200 uniformed and armed DPD officers and State Fair Safety Team members are patrolling the fairgrounds whenever the gates are open. We take the safety of the State Fair very seriously and will continue to do so," said Karissa Condoianis, the fair’s spokesperson.
Harrison and other Republican legislators say if the policy is not changed, they will consider legislation in January to "protect Second Amendment Rights […] on lands managed by the public."
The State Fair of Texas is a private non-profit, so while the property is public, the body that operates the fair is not.
"I want the State Fair to be successful. I want Texans to be able to go and enjoy it. I want them to be safe doing it, and the way you harm or reduce their expected safety is to stop them from exercising their Second Amendment. The State Fair needs to reconsider this, and I hope they do," said Harrison.
Fairgoers are also being encouraged to speak up if they see anything suspicious at the fair.
In addition to the gun policy changes, there is also a new bag size policy at the fair this year.
While clear bags are not mandatory, they are recommended.
The State Fair of Texas kicks off on Sept. 27.