Dallas Zoo’s “Gun-Free Zone” Faces Legal Challenge

posted on November 11, 2015
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After getting the Houston Zoo to abandon its “No Guns” signs and policy, Texas gun-rights attorney T. Edwin Walker has filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Office to challenge a similar prohibition on the means of self-defense at the Dallas Zoo. 

With some exceptions, Texas law allows Right-to-Carry permit holders to bring firearms onto government land. Like the Houston Zoo, the Dallas Zoo is located on public land, but is operated by a private entity. After first writing to the Dallas Zoo to protest its firearm prohibition—as required by Texas law—and getting no results, Walker has appealed to the attorney general. 

The Dallas Zoo has argued that it qualifies for an exemption under the law that allows educational facilities and amusement parks to keep their “No Guns” policies. Walker’s response is that the zoo offers no courses, degrees or rides, and therefore does not qualify.

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