New Lawsuits Filed Against City of Dallas
The Texas State Rifle Association was formed in 1919, and in 1981, the TSRA Legislative efforts officially began. The TSRA Political Action Committee is the largest state political action committee. It is a non-partisan, multi-candidate, State Election Commissioned-registered political action committee. The work done by the TSRA PAC Legislative Team is dedicated to the TSRA Members to promote, protect, and preserve the 2nd Amendment rights of Texans.
Last year, we saw an attack on those rights issued by the State Fair of Texas. With thirty thousand TSRA members, over 1.5 million Texans who hold a License to Carry, and an overall population of over 31 million, this policy change was surprising for an event with “of Texas” in its name.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his office immediately acted against the State Fair of Texas, and the fairgrounds property owner, the City of Dallas, last year. After a rejected request that the policy be reversed, the Attorney General filed suit against both parties. This turned into a lengthy, expensive, and difficult process, but the AG’s office persevered through each roadblock in the pursuit. At TSRA, we remained informed on each step and shared the information with our members through our website and social media platforms.
Texas lawmakers have since made this subject a priority in the Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1065 by Senator Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) was reported out of the Senate Committee this week. It is currently waiting for a vote by the full Senate. If passed, the bill mandates that government contracts include provisions protecting licensed handgun carriers.
In the House, a companion bill (HB 1715) was filed by Representative Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) and has been referred to the House Committee on State Affairs.
A non-jury trial is still scheduled for this case (DC-24-14434) in the 298th District Court of Dallas. It is suspected that the Judge assigned to the case will wait until the conclusion of matters in the current Texas Legislative Session before making a ruling on the case.
"We must stay vigilant and defend our Second Amendment freedoms whenever they are threatened,” Attorney General Ken Paxton shared with TSRA. “Whether it's the federal government under Joe Biden or the liberals running the City of Dallas, I've fought to protect our gun rights from lawless politicians. I am grateful for strong leaders like Senator Hall who is working to pass important legislation to protect our rights."
Two additional lawsuits in support of the rights of law-abiding Texans have now been filed by the Attorney General against the City of Dallas. On Thursday, a press release from Attorney General Paxton’s office detailed the lawsuits about the City of Dallas and property that is leased to The Majestic Theater and Fair Park’s Music Hall. The suits have been filed to stop the City of Dallas from banning lawful license holders from carrying handguns into both locations. “The law is clear. Cities like Dallas have no authority to override state statutes that enable license holders to lawfully carry their handguns and protect themselves from potential threats,” said Attorney General Paxton in Thursday’s press release. “I will always do everything in my power to defend Texans’ gun rights from cities that would strip us of our legal rights.”
TSRA and the TSRA PAC are proud to work alongside other individuals, businesses, and offices, who are fighting the same battle to preserve the rights of law-abiding Texans.
Story by Marissa Brinkman
April 17, 2025
