AUSTIN (January 15, 2013)—Travis County commissioners Tuesday voted down a proposed ban on gun shows at facilities in the county where the Texas Capitol is situated.

Travis County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to uphold an existing contract with Saxet Gun Shows, which plans nine gun shows over the next 13 months at the county exposition center in northeastern Austin.

The vote came after an hour-long closed-door discussion by the commissioners a week after County Judge Sam Biscoe proposed the ban.

The proposal drew a threat from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott of "a double-barreled lawsuit" against the county and the city of Austin if they imposed such bans.

Recent news reports suggest Abbott, a Republican, may be a candidate for governor next year.