Controversial Firearms Bill Moves Forward Without Public Input

The controversial Senate Bill 1065 aimed at overturning the State Fair of Texas’ firearm ban took a step forward Friday, as a Texas House committee advanced the measure without holding a public hearing, an unusual move that sidestepped the standard legislative process.

The proposal, which already passed the Senate in April, would prevent contractors from restricting firearms in publicly owned venues. That includes places like Fair Park in Dallas, where the State Fair is held each year under a city contract. Currently, only law enforcement officers are allowed to carry firearms at the fair, a policy put in place after a 2023 shooting left three people injured, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.

In 2024, The Texas Supreme Court rejected Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to block the State Fair of Texas from enforcing its firearm ban, marking his first failed attempt to overturn the policy. The court ruled that since Paxton did not argue the fair itself was legally barred from banning guns. As a result, the State Fair will proceed with its ban, allowing only law enforcement officers to carry weapons on-site. Paxton, undeterred, vowed to continue challenging the ban through the courts and legislature, calling it a violation of Texans’ right to self-defense on public property.

Under SB 1065, licensed gun owners who believe a contractor is unlawfully restricting firearms in a government-owned venue could file complaints with the attorney general’s office. Violators could face civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 for the first offense, and up to $10,500 for repeat violations.

Despite the significance of the proposal, the House State Affairs Committee advanced the bill in a 9-5 vote held behind closed doors Friday at noon. The meeting was announced just one hour prior and was not streamed online. Typically, bills receive public hearings where lawmakers and citizens can weigh in. Two amendments, one that would have excluded venues serving alcohol and another that would have exempted professional sports stadiums, were proposed by Democratic representatives but were rejected.

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?” To which Raymond responded that his amendment would apply.

The full House has until May 27 to act on Senate legislation.