Kyle McClenagan/HPM
Houston Sheriff’s Office deputies sit on horseback at the Houston Rodeo in 2025.
Monday kicks off the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of the most highly anticipated and highly attended local events of the year.
This year’s rodeo comes on the heels of a deadly shooting in Austin that has prompted security concerns statewide. A shooting in Austin left two dead and injured 14 others, after a man allegedly fired a gun from his car into a downtown bar. The shooter, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, allegedly exited his car and shot into crowds before being killed by police.
The rodeo does not have a clear bag policy and permits small purses or backpacks to be brought into NRG Park. Prohibited items include fireworks, laser pointers, or other weapons in general.
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The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo does not allow firearms, whether open carry or concealed, according to the rodeo’s website. Security at the rodeo includes the use of a body wand, checking bags at entrances, and random bag checks within NRG Park.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is committed to providing a safe, family-friendly environment for our community,” a spokesperson for the rodeo said in a statement. “The safety of our guests, volunteers, staff and participants is our highest priority. We work year-round with law enforcement partners to implement and continuously evaluate comprehensive security measures, supported by state-of-the-art technology. We are focused on delivering a secure and welcoming experience at this year’s Rodeo.”
In a statement on Saturday following the shooting, Governor Greg Abbott said he directed the Texas Military Department to send service members across the state, as well as increasing patrols at “vital energy facilities, ports, and along our border.”
Firearm bans at major events have drawn scrutiny in the past. The State Fair of Texas issued a ban on firearms after a 2023 shooting, prompting a lawsuit from the Texas Attorney General’s office which was ultimately dismissed by a Dallas County judge.