Texas’s new open carry law is making headlines and causing controversy. But there’s one place you might not expect the battle to play out: at your local zoo. According to The Texas Tribune, that’s because zoos are funded through private foundations but located on public property. That means the laws are hazy for zoos if they want to keep firearms off their property.
Zoos are frequent destinations for school field trips and family outings, so they have a strong interest in setting their own firearms policies. But zoos don’t fall into any of the traditional categories. Tim Morrow of the San Antonio Zoo said he thinks Attorney General Ken Paxton will need to make a decision on the issue.
The Houston Zoo is one of three in the state already threatened with possible fines for banning open carry. Houston zoo officials argue that their facility was established for educational and conservation purposes.
