TSRA Testifies to Close State Fair Loophole
Last year, the State Fair of Texas implemented a policy change in which they banned LTC holders from carrying on the State Fair premises for the 2024 season. After years of allowing LTC holders to carry at the State Fair, this policy change seemed to be a knee-jerk reaction to a 2023 State Fair incident, in which a fair attendee shot and injured three others. It is unknown how the suspect got in with the firearm, as several news outlets reported that he did not have a License to Carry. However, the 2024 policy change, suspected to be brought on by this incident, banned those with an LTC. They stopped the people you want to carry, from carrying. It punishes those who follow the law.
The ability of the State Fair to implement this unconstitutional policy is due to a loophole in Texas law. Senate Bill 1065 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) which seeks to close this loophole, was heard by the Senate State Affairs Committee today. TSRA Executive Director, John Poole, was among those who testified on behalf of this important bill. "I would like to thank Senator Hall for filing this important piece of legislation that the Texas State Rifle Association favors," Poole said.
The ability of the State Fair to implement this unconstitutional policy is due to a loophole in Texas law. Senate Bill 1065 by Bob Hall (R-Canton) which seeks to close this loophole, was heard by the Senate State Affairs Committee today. TSRA Executive Director, John Poole, was among those who testified on behalf of this important bill. "I would like to thank Senator Hall for filing this important piece of legislation that the Texas State Rifle Association favors," Poole said.
TSRA Executive Director John Poole led the testimony in support of SB 1065.
The ownership of the State Fair fairgrounds property by a governmental entity is what opens the loophole. If the City of Dallas (hypothetically) ran the State Fair at Fair Park, current Texas law would prohibit them from adopting and enforcing firearm bans at the Fair. But because the taxpayer-owned property is leased by the City (a governmental entity) to a non-profit organization, our Second Amendment rights can be nullified by the non-profit. The key component of the loophole is the governmental entity ownership of a property that is then leased by a private group. Closing this loophole is the priority of SB 1065. "It would have a statewide effect," said Senator Hall.
SB 1065 was left pending at this time.
SB 1065 was left pending at this time.
Watch John Poole's Testimony in support of protecting your rights:
The TSRA PAC's Legislative Team is able to attend hearings like today because of the generous contributions received from like-minded individuals and businesses. Please consider a contribution to the TSRA PAC today!
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Story by Marissa Brinkman
Video by Tabitha Pucek
April 10, 2025
Video by Tabitha Pucek
April 10, 2025