Push Back on Gun Ban
Seventy Republicans in the Texas House have sent a letter to the State Fair of Texas, urging them to reconsider the ban.
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This policy shift follows a shooting incident at last year’s fair that left three people injured.
Based on Previous Incident
The shooter, Cameron Turner, was not licensed, and despite the new metal detection system, managed to bring a gun onto the fairgrounds.
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FOX 4’s Steven Dial spoke with State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Waxahachie), one of the Republican lawmakers advocating for the reversal of the policy.
“Second Amendment rights increases safety”
Rep. Harrison commented, “Allowing Texans to exercise, lawfully, their Second Amendment rights increases safety.”
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“And that’s why I was appalled to see, and really disappointed to see the State Fair of Texas take this action to ban Texans from exercising their Second Amendment rights on the fairgrounds.”
Disapproving Comments
He continued, “If their goal was to maximize safety, this actually reduces safety.”
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“It does the exact opposite of that. We know the data shows that, this isn’t just my opinion.”
Link Between Mass Shootings and Gun-Free Zones
“The overwhelming majority of mass shootings happen in places where guns are banned”, Harrison stated.
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“So this is a bad decision and I hope they reconsider it.”
Tragic Incident
Harrison acknowledged last year’s shooting as tragic when asked by Steven Dial.
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However, he emphasized that banning firearms is not the solution.
Harrison Argues Armed Citizens Enhance Safety
“If we’re trying to increase safety, banning firearms, stopping Texans from exercising the Second Amendment is not the correct way to do this.”
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“The majority of mass shootings are actually stopped by armed citizens exercising their Second Amendment right,” Harrison explained.”
Fair Policy Challenge Is About Protecting Texans' Rights
Dial also pointed out that other venues, such as Rangers games and concerts, have similar firearm restrictions.
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Harrison responded by clarifying that this isn’t about singling out the State Fair of Texas but rather about upholding the rights that Texans historically have enjoyed.
Maximizing Safety
“This is about protecting the Constitution, protecting the Second Amendment, standing up for what my constituents want and pushing for policies that do what all those things do together.”
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“And that’s maximizing safety,” Harrison stated.
State Fair Responds
Meanwhile, fair officials stand by their decision.
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State Fair spokeswoman Karissa Condoianis said, “We will respond to them directly. We want them to know they are heard, we hear them. However, this is a policy that our Board of Directors, as a nonprofit organization that we are managed by, feel this is a measure we need to take to create a safe environment for everyone who is out here.”
High Level of Security
The fair also notes that over 200 armed police officers and security personnel will be on patrol throughout the event.
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Harrison and other Republicans warn that if the policy is not reversed, they will consider legislation in January aimed at “protecting Second Amendment rights […] on lands managed by the public.” The State Fair of Texas will open its doors on Friday, September 27.