Kent State University Grad Celebrates by Walking Campus With AR-10 Rifle
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.17.18
A recent grad from Kent State University is making news headlines after strolling around on campus and taking graduation photos sporting a white sundress and a black rifle.
Kaitlin Bennett received her degree from Ohio’s Kent State University where she majored in biology. Not long after becoming an alum of KSU, she returned to campus to document something she was previously not allowed to do as a student – open carry on campus.
“Now that I graduated from @KentState, I can finally arm myself on campus,” Bennett wrote in a tweet.
She continued her rant by referencing the 1970 Kent State shootings where National Guard officers opened fire into a group of college students at a protest. “I should have been able to do so as a student – especially since 4 unarmed students were shot and killed by the government on this campus.”
Now that I graduated from @KentState, I can finally arm myself on campus. I should have been able to do so as a student- especially since 4 unarmed students were shot and killed by the government on this campus. #CampusCarryNow pic.twitter.com/a91fQH44cq
— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 13, 2018
And when the angry death threats began filling her inbox, Kaitlin remained poised and took it all in stride:
Thanks to all who have sent me death threats for taking a picture. You’re the biggest advocates for gun rights. You proved exactly why people carry.
— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 16, 2018
A few day later, Bennett doubled-down on her post grad, pro Second Amendment photo shoot.
She tweeted, “I have no apologies for my graduation photos. As a woman, I refuse to be a victim & the second amendment ensures that I don’t have to be.” She also added another shot from the collection, showing herself with an AR-10 slung around her shoulder and posing in front of a Kent State University building holding her graduation cap that reads “Come And Take It.”
I have no apologies for my graduation photos. As a woman, I refuse to be a victim & the second amendment ensures that I don’t have to be. pic.twitter.com/5CKmQobrMb
— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 15, 2018
Bennett appeared to have triggered Mom’s Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, as she shared the graduate’s tweet and wrote “White privilege is a helluva drug.”
White privilege is a helluva drug. https://t.co/HhNf4tS5lN
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 16, 2018
Watts even reached out to Kent State officials to ask if Bennett had violated any laws. However, KSU officials told her Bennett had complied with and followed all laws and campus guidelines.
.@KentState: Does this violate your weapons policy? If so, what action will you take regarding this student?
Please let parents of prospective college students know ASAP.
Thanks in advance… https://t.co/HhNf4tS5lN
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 17, 2018
At some point, gun control advocate David Hogg, a Parkland shooting survivor, got himself involved in the Twitter argument, but was swiftly shown the door:
.@davidhogg111 I don’t know if your tiny arms with Hitler-esque bands around them can’t reach your @ button, but maybe instead of retweeting racist posts about me, you can have a real conversation about guns with me like the adult you want to be. #CampusCarryNow
— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 17, 2018
This is whole debacle is very reminiscent of another post-graduate photo that sparked controversy between pro and anti gun folks, so we ask you, where do you stand on these young women taking photos of them exercising their Second Amendment rights?