State Fair of Texas Wins; No Guns at the Fair

June 30, 2025 – A Dallas County judge has dismissed Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit challenging the State Fair of Texas’ firearm ban, handing a win to organizers and the City of Dallas.

On June 24, Judge Emily Tobolowsky granted summary judgment in favor of the fair and the city, effectively ending the lawsuit before it reached trial. Paxton had argued that because the State Fair is held on city-owned Fair Park, licensed gun owners should be allowed to carry concealed firearms under state law. The Fair, however, operates as a private nonprofit and maintains it retains the right to restrict firearms on its property—a position upheld by both the district court and earlier denials by the Texas Supreme Court and the 15th Court of Appeals.

The firearm ban was instituted after a shooting at the 2023 fair injured three people. Fair officials stressed that the ban aligns with policies at similar large events and prioritize public safety, supplementing security with over 200 armed police officers.

Lawmakers also attempted to pass legislation forbidding such bans by entities leasing public land, but those bills failed to advance. With this dismissal, the State Fair can maintain its current gun policy ahead of the upcoming 2025 event, reinforcing its stance that as a private entity it holds the authority to enforce safety measures independently of state gun carry laws.