AUSTIN ( The Texas Tribune ) — A newly created state appeals court denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton request to temporarily block the State Fair of Texas’ policy banning all firearms from its fairgrounds as the event is set to start Friday.
The ruling comes after a Dallas County District Court struck down a similar request from Paxton on the new policy. The District Court Judge agreed with State Fair officials that they could enforce a gun ban as a private nonprofit.
Paxton says the fair’s gun ban violates state law, which bars most government bodies from prohibiting weapons. State Fair officials say it has the right as a private nonprofit, and the city of Dallas says it has no role in the fair’s gun policy.
Paxton said on social media Tuesday evening that he will next ask the Texas Supreme Court to overturn the ban.
The State Fair begins Friday.
Here’s what you need to know.
The background : Fair officials and law enforcement announced the policy change last month, roughly a year after a gunman opened fire at the fair, injuring three people. Officials also announced it will have security cameras at entrances and will not provide storage for larger bags.