HOUSTON - Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin sent a clear message that safety is the priority, securing authorization from Commissioners Court to file an amicus brief in support of current Texas law restricting firearms in sensitive locations including bars, stadiums, school and professional sporting events.
Commissioners Court action cleared the way in a unanimous vote for County Attorney Kamin to speak on behalf of Harris County in Ziegenfuss v. Martin. Despite the fact Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton refused to defend the State’s dually enacted laws, Judge Mark Pittman—Northern District of Texas—a Trump appointee, held in favor of the State that Texas’ firearms laws do not violate the Constitution. The case is now on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.
“Paxton may not want to defend Texas, but here in Harris County we stand up for the rule of law. Whether it’s at a high school football game or a professional baseball game, out of state special interests have no business making Texans more vulnerable to senseless gun violence. We are going to vigorously defend the ability to restrict firearms for safety purposes in sensitive locations. I'm grateful for the backing of our Commissioners Court and stand ready to join this legal fight for the safety of our community,” said Kamin.
The plaintiffs in the case, including an out-of-state gun rights advocacy group, argue Texas state laws violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. The case is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
WATCH: County Attorney requests of Commissioners Court to file an amicus brief in Ziegenfuss v. Martin.