DALLAS – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an expedited appeal on Thursday after A Dallas County judge upheld the State Fair’s gun ban the same day..

Judge Emily G. Tobolowsky ruled in favor of the city of Dallas and the State Fair almost immediately after attorneys completed their closing arguments early Thursday afternoon.

The case came to Tobolowsky after Paxton’s office filed suit against the State Fair of Texas and the city of Dallas because the fair prohibited most visitors from carrying firearms or other weapons. The suit alleged that the city and fair violated state law by prohibiting most people from bringing firearms onto public property. The dispute centered on whether the fair, as a private company leasing public land, was subject to the same legal restrictions on gun bans as the city or another public company.

“Due to the ongoing litigation, we are unable to provide any statements or comments at this time,” a Dallas city spokesman said Friday.

“We expected an appeal, but we continue to believe this policy is the right decision to ensure a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere. The State Fair of Texas will continue to make safety our highest priority,” a State Fair of Texas spokeswoman said.

The 2024 edition of the fair begins next Friday, September 27th.