The State Fair of Texas introduced additional security measures this year to keep people safe while also allowing people to carry guns.
"The State Fair of Texas has long been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of the rights of responsible gun owning Texans. For that reason, the Fair has long allowed Fair attendees with valid handgun licenses to carry their handguns in a concealed manner while attending the Fair (except for locations prohibited by law). The State Fair will not allow unlicensed gun owners to enter the fairgrounds with a firearm," the organization writes on its website.
Texas passed a law allowing permitless carry in 2021, but the State Fair of Texas says, since it is a private entity that leases land from the City of Dallas, it still requires visitors to have a license to carry from Texas or another state with reciprocity.
Before this year's fair, the State Fair of Texas introduced a new security system, replacing metal detectors with an "open gate system."
"This is more high tech," the State Fair of Texas' Karissa Condoianis said. "You won't take your phone out of your pocket. You won't have to put your bag down. This is going to read through all of that. This is the latest and greatest technology when it comes to detection."
Dallas Police have not said whether the suspect in Saturday's shooting might have had a license to carry or how he got the gun through security. Cameron Turner, 22, was being held in the Dallas County Jail Monday morning without bond on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Three people were hurt during the shooting in the food court Saturday evening.
For visitors to the State Fair of Texas, Condoianis says the organization's security works with Dallas Police, Dallas Fire Rescue, Dallas ISD Police and Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police to ensure visitors' safety.
"The State Fair of Texas team continues to work hard to ensure a safe environment for everyone during the fair," she said at the event before the Fair opened.
Dallas Police say officers work overtime during the State Fair of Texas, and they bring in staff from Central Division and Southeast Division to provide extra staff at Fair Park.
"We do things with table-top [simulations] with [Dallas] Fire and other agencies to make sure, if something does happen, we all know what that desired response is," Dallas Police Deputy Chief Teena Schultz said.
The State Fair of Texas says it maintains the right to search all fairgoers and their bags, saying weapons are not allowed.
"This includes firearms, knives, clubs, tasers, chemical dispensing device etc. Also, all sharp metal objects, such as pocketknives, scissors, and other sharp implements, are strictly prohibited. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle," the State Fair of Texas says on its website.
Despite the inclusion of firearms on its list of prohibited items, the State Fair of Texas says guns can be brought through security with a license.
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