Texas AG Ken Paxton to State Fair: Drop gun ban

• The fair previously allowed visitors with a valid handgun license to bring a firearm into the fairgrounds. The accused shooter was not licensed.

The latest: The State Fair of Texas announced last week that it updated its weapons and bag policies as part of tightened security measures. The not-for-profit organization said it's banning all firearms, with the exception of those carried by licensed peace officers.

• Paxton sent a letter on Wednesday to interim city manager Kim Bizor Tolbert, warning that the gun ban violates state law because the fairgrounds are owned by the city of Dallas.
• "Dallas has fifteen days to fix the issue, otherwise I will see them in court," Paxton wrote on X.

The big picture: Texas has some of the most permissive gun laws in the country. A 2021 state law allows pretty much anyone over 21 to freely carry a firearm.

• Schools and courtrooms are gun-free zones, and private entities, like amusement parks, can establish their own bans.

Friction point: Fair Park is city-owned, but the State Fair of Texas leases the 277-acre grounds during the duration of the fair. Paxton's office wrote that because the property is city-owned, the fair organization can't prohibit weapons.

• State Fair officials say the organization is a private entity and is not controlled by the city.
• "As such, our volunteer board of directors, representing a mix of viewpoints from throughout our community have made a decision regarding weapons at the Fair," a spokesperson said in an email.

State of play: The State Fair of Texas is one of the largest fairs in the country and one of the biggest events in Texas. More than 2.3 million people attended last year.

• The three-week event has increased its security in recent years by adding weapons detection systems at the entry gates and prohibiting unaccompanied minors from roaming the park after 5pm.

Context: More than 70 Republican state legislators signed a petition this week asking state fair officials to reconsider their gun ban, saying that gun-free zones are less safe.

• Fair officials dispute that claim, saying many mass gatherings, such as concerts and athletic events, ban guns. The fair spends millions every year on safety measures, and more than 200 Dallas police officers and security guards patrol the grounds during the event.

What they're saying: "We know that this is an important issue for many Texans, and that the Fair's decision may disappoint potential fairgoers who regularly and responsibly practice License to Carry or Constitutional Carry. However, the Fair strongly believes that this is the right decision moving forward to ensure a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere," fair officials said in a statement.

• City officials didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

Zoom in: The accused shooter, 22-year-old Cameron Alexander Turner, was indicted on three felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was also indicted on a felony unlawfully carrying a weapon in prohibited places charge, per county court records.

• He is scheduled to go on trial in October.

What's next: Paxton is giving the city of Dallas 15 days to change the ban, saying he could seek civil penalties between $1,000 to $1,500 a day.

• The fair is open Sept. 27-Oct. 20.