LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Despite calls for changes at the State Fair, the South Plains Fair will remain business as usual this year, meaning no guns will be allowed. Last week, dozens of Republican lawmakers called for the State Fair to repeal its new “gun-free zone” policy.
County Commissioner-elect Mike Dalby says Lubbock State Rep. Dustin Burrows contacted him and brought the issue to his attention. Dalby posted on Facebook that as a Second Amendment advocate, he should be able to defend himself anywhere, including at the fair.
“Any time you take away our freedoms and rights, it is a cause for concern,” Dalby said.
Organizers of the South Plains Fair say they have hired trained police officers to ensure safety and protect people on site.
“We do not allow the carrying or concealment of weapons, nothing at all. The only people on our fairgrounds are police officers with appropriate training and they are here to serve and protect,” said Executive Director Jennifer Wallace.
That will now be the case at the State Fair, too. The city of Dallas leases land to the State Fair for three weeks each year. While Attorney General Ken Paxton says he will sue the city of Dallas if the State Fair does not change its gun ban policy, Wallace says the South Plains Fair is different.
“We’re in a different boat than them. Fortunately, you would say, we own all of our land. So we’re private property. So we can make our rules,” Wallace said. “We don’t have any funding from the county or the city or anything to do with it, we’re just a normal business.”
Wallace says the fair bought its land from Lubbock County about 80 years ago and that guns were never allowed there.
“It’s a little easier now in Texas, anyone can have a gun. You don’t have to have training. It’s a little scary. We don’t want to invite those people. But just a few hours a day, just to get out and spend time with family, that would be worth it to me to be with my family,” she said.
Dalby won’t be sworn in to represent the First District as county commissioner until January, but he has already begun to push through his priorities.
He says he should be able to protect his own family at the fair with his own firearm.
“Gun-free zones are, in my opinion, the most dangerous zones of all. If you take away the guns from the good guys and take away our ability to defend ourselves and our families, then I have a problem with that,” he said.
Burrows sent a statement to KCBD saying he appreciated Dalby taking a stand and calling gun-free zones a magnet for crime.
“Gun-free zones do not make people safer. Gun-free zones are a magnet for crime because they are less dangerous to those who want to do evil. Recent tragedies have shown the sad reality that you can die while waiting for the police to save your life. Those who choose to take responsibility for their own safety understand this harsh reality.”
The South Plains Fair pays 15 to 30 police officers to patrol the grounds during the week. The city also provides guard towers in the parking lot and mounted patrols.
“We’ve definitely noticed the police presence. If you ever have a problem or a situation, you can find someone anywhere. Our carnival has gotten better and cleaner,” Wallace said.
Dalby says he has spoken to a board member about the issue and hopes to accomplish more.
“I realize the fair is less than a month away, or even just a month away, but we are in West Texas. We love our freedoms. We want to defend our families,” he said.
Dalby says if the signs aren’t taken down, the fair will need metal detectors. Wallace says they took care of that a few years ago, but they’re expensive. She says they may need them in the future, but thanks to the fair’s track record, she’s happy with the current situation.
Two years ago, the trade fair also introduced a policy for transparent bags.
The South Plains Fair begins in 31 days, on September 20th and runs through September 28th.
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