Image of Donald Trump Jr. from LARW website
A clear bag policy – including no guns – will not be enforced when Donald Trump Jr., the son of former President Trump, speaks in Lubbock at the Civic Center, LubbockLights.com has learned.
Trump Jr. will be the featured speaker at the Lubbock Area Republican Women’s Pink Elephant Gala Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m.
The original advertisement of the clear bag policy came just days after 70 Texas lawmakers – including Lubbock and South Plains legislators – wrote in protest of concealed carry not allowed at this year’s State Fair of Texas.
It also came weeks after a would-be assassin tried to shoot the former president at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
After LubbockLights.com asked LARW about the Trump event by email and voice messages, things changed. An advertisement on the organization’s home page removed the previous reference to a clear bag policy.
The local policy was not related to the State Fair, LARW said.
“That had nothing do with our decision,” said Susie Stell, the group’s president.
LARW believed the gun policy was required at the Civic Center, Stell said.
Generally speaking, guns are not banned in the Civic Center. However, LubbockLights.com found a notice on the city’s website indicating otherwise.
Civic Center online disclaimer
A Lubbock Memorial Civic Center webpage disclaimer said in part:
“Persons entering each facility are subject to being searched for contraband, alcohol, controlled substances, weapons, firearms, fireworks, cameras, video equipment, recording devices which are expressly forbidden in or on facility premises and subject to confiscation.”
City spokesperson Lacey Nobles said, “The disclaimer you refer to deals with a standard notice to parties attending a private/non-public event – one which requires the purchase of a ticket.”
The notice may provide some authority for organizers of a private event to exclude weapons, depending on circumstances, Nobles said.
“However, this notice/disclaimer for ticket purchasers is not the same as official City policy, and we would follow City policy,” Nobles said.
Lauren Adams, a City spokesperson, provided clarity on the policy.
“The City of Lubbock does not have a general ‘clear bag’ policy,” Adams said.
According to Adams, the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center’s firearm policy is:
Firearms with proper permits, both open carry and concealed carry firearms, are allowed in the LMCC under state law, with the following exceptions:
- Any room where Lubbock City Council is meeting.
- Any room where voting is taking place.
- Other times as required or permitted by law.
- The required signage will be posted outside the room(s) or facilities where firearms are not allowed. Gun shows present a special circumstance with a special set of rules …
State law changed in 2015 and was updated in 2021.
Cities and local governments cannot exclude licensed firearm holders from events. There were exceptions written into the law; for example high school sports and events where 51 percent or more of the proceeds come from alcohol.
Stell said even if LARW wanted a gun policy, it would be difficult to pull off.
“We’re not enforcing that. There’s too many Texans out here to do that,” Stell said.
That’s just the first problem.
“We can’t get metal detectors,” Stell said.
“This is a conservative effort. It’s about being in the times we live in. We need to take stands and be bold about what believe in,” she added.
“We are all about fighting for our rights. We support our Second Amendment rights,” she told LubbockLights.com.
Slideshow: The LARW website both with and without the mention of a clear bag policy
About the Gala
Stell said the theme of the night is “United We Stand.”
Tickets are $350, which includes a catered meal.
There will be a full cash bar, a social media post about the event said.
The dress style for the gala is Texas cocktail.
“Women may wear a gown or cocktail dress; colors are hot pink, navy blue, white, gold and silver for the event. Cowboy hats and jackets are welcome for the men,” the post also said.
The event will include live and silent auctions, along with a live musical performance by Junior Vasquez.
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