Proposal to Lift Gun Ban at State Fair of Texas Advances
A proposal that takes aim at the State Fair of Texas’ gun ban advanced out of a House committee without a public hearing that typically precedes such votes. The move has sparked controversy and raised questions about the future of gun laws in Texas.
Background on the Gun Ban
Only elected, appointed, or employed peace officers are permitted to bring firearms to the State Fair following a 2023 shooting that injured three fairgoers. The incident led to a reevaluation of gun laws at the fair, with some arguing that a complete ban is necessary to ensure public safety.
The Senate’s Stance on the Issue
The Senate passed the bill in April, which would prevent contractors from banning guns in government-owned public spaces. The State Fair contracts with Dallas annually to use Fair Park, making it a government-owned public space. This move has been seen as a significant step towards loosening gun laws in Texas.
Consequences of Violating the Law
Residents or licensed gun owners could file complaints with the attorney general if they suspect a contractor is violating the law, according to the proposal. Violators would face a potential civil penalty of $1,000 to $1,500 for the first violation and up to $10,500 for subsequent violations. This provision aims to ensure that contractors comply with the new law.
Previous Attempts to Stop the Ban
The Texas Supreme Court last year denied Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to stop the ban. Paxton petitioned the court to block the ban after unfavorable rulings from a Democratic Dallas County district judge and an appeals court with three GOP justices. This decision has been seen as a significant setback for those advocating for stricter gun laws.
The House Committee’s Decision
The House received the bill from the Senate on May 1 and referred it to the State Affairs Committee. Traditionally, legislation is laid out at a public hearing, where lawmakers discuss the proposal and Texas citizens can weigh in. However, the panel skipped that crucial part of the process and voted 9-5 to advance it.
The rushed meeting came as the House faces a May 27 deadline to vote on Senate bills. While technically open to the public, the vote — which was not streamed online — occurred behind closed doors in a noon meeting that was noticed at 11 a.m. without a detailed agenda.
Amendments Proposed and Voted Down
Democratic Reps. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie and Richard Peña Raymond of Laredo proposed two amendments that were voted down. Turner’s amendment would have excluded properties where alcohol is served from allowing guns. Raymond’s amendment would have excluded any event held at a professional sports venue or practice facility.
“Say at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, if it were a concert, would it apply?” Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Forth Worth, asked. “Or would it be just when the Cowboys are playing there, whether they’re worth a damn or not?” Raymond said his amendment would apply.
Former House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont — who is sponsoring the bill in the House — said he only recently got a copy of the proposal and appeared to suggest he couldn’t support any amendments without knowing exactly what the underlying bill would do.
During the roll call vote to advance the bill, Phelan said, “Aye, I guess,” prompting laughter inside the room. The move has sparked controversy, with some arguing that the bill is being rushed through without proper consideration.
Conclusion
The proposal to lift the gun ban at the State Fair of Texas has advanced out of a House committee without a public hearing. The move has sparked controversy and raised questions about the future of gun laws in Texas. As the bill moves forward, it is likely to face significant scrutiny and debate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current gun policy at the State Fair of Texas?
A: Only elected, appointed, or employed peace officers are permitted to bring firearms to the State Fair.
Q: What does the proposed bill aim to achieve?
A: The proposed bill aims to prevent contractors from banning guns in government-owned public spaces, including the State Fair of Texas.
Q: What are the consequences of violating the proposed law?
A: Violators would face a potential civil penalty of $1,000 to $1,500 for the first violation and up to $10,500 for subsequent violations.
Q: Why was the public hearing skipped?
A: The public hearing was skipped due to the House facing a May 27 deadline to vote on Senate bills.
Q: What amendments were proposed and voted down?
A: Two amendments were proposed and voted down: one excluding properties where alcohol is served from allowing guns and another excluding events held at professional sports venues or practice facilities.
