Kent State University in Ohio prohibits students from carrying on campus. But non-students are allowed to carry on the public property in and around the college all day long.
For Kaitlin Bennett, 22, a former student, the policy makes little sense. Because if strangers can carry, she should be able to carry too.
Upon graduating Sunday, Bennett decided to make a statement. She slung an AR-10 over her shoulder and strutted around the premises in a white sundress. No longer a student, it was perfectly within the law and the university’s policy on guns for her to do so.
She then posted photos of her pro-2A protest on Twitter. And it didn’t take long for the photos to go viral.
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
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 spoke to different media outlets about her 2A views. Turns out she’s unapologetically pro-gun.
“I believe that if the government has it, we should have it. Machine guns — any weaponry,” she told The Washington Post on Tuesday.
SEE ALSO: Florida Students Hold Walkout to Support 2A, Constitution
“To make sure the government can’t go against the citizens,” she continued. “We should be able to protect ourselves against a tyrannical government.”
The Kent State policy on Deadly Weapons. Non-students or passersby can carry but those affiliated with the school are prohibited.
She spoke about the criticism she’s received, some of it racially tinged, to Fox Host Steve Doocy.
“I was not expecting the blatant racism that’s been thrown at me,” said Bennett. “They’re saying that I have white privilege for going out on campus with my AR-10.”
“I think that’s very insulting to minorities,” Bennett said. “I don’t think that anything bad would happen to them.” She further noted that she, “had a black police officer with me the whole time [she was taking photos]. He was just … he loved it.”
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
You go, girl !! One of the smartest students to ever leave that campus!
Delightful! Ahh to be young again.
Some man if not already will be very fortunate.
Great job Kaitlin !! You did not quote this: but you are on the right track…It is true that you cannot fix evil; but you can put yourself in a position to defend against it….Here’s one….If you are ever “bumped” as why you “need” a firearm. Ask the person if they wear a seatbelt!! They will probably answer, ” Just in case I need it.”
Z apparently spends too much time reading the dictionary, thereby depriving him of acquiring common sense. Some premises in this set of facts (such as threats from anti-gun left ) are self evident, and everyday “walking around” sense would literally cause one to conclude that no “gun rights”person would threaten her for her effective display of her 2nd. Amendment rights. Z may want to lay aside his dictionary and open a treatise on “Logic” to read about “deductive reasoning”.
Hello Jerry,
While you’re entitled to your own opinion you aren’t entitled to your own facts. Saying a thing doesn’t make it so, even if that’s your personal philosophy. Don’t be afraid of knowledge, try it, you might like it.
I have taught all my children to shoot and now my Grand kids are being taught. It is not just heart warming to see this brave young woman do what see has done, knowing the backlash that would follow. That is a real patriot and American! I would give her a great big Grandpa hug if I could! America needs more like you! You go girl!!
Glad the university did not pollute her brain like they are doing to the rest of country. Congratulations!!! And best of luck on her future endeavors.
I think K.B. made another statement that no one but me noticed. Ms. Bennett took this stand to bear arms, with, two bare arms!
You are a true patriot ! Hopefully more young woman will see this and exercise their inalienable rights. Both my daughters carry, and as soon as my granddaughters are old enough they will be taught to protect themselves. You are an inspiration!
Good for you, Kaitlin!
The black AR10 slung over her shoulder did not start shooting at people no it did not Y blame the guns????
Good for you Kaitlin! As a single woman & student I completely agree with you, I have been a victim of assault & 2 break-ins & I never want to be a victim ever again. We as a society of freedom have to protect that right at any cost. Our forefathers knew how dangerous a powerful government can be, & the liberal left is trying their best to brainwash our children & suppress minorities to their way of thinking so they can continue to control them & stay in power. Thank you for your bravery! If we as a country ever lose our rights as free citizens it will be a terrible day throughout the world.
Good for her. Glad to see that not all of our college graduates are snowflake morons.
When I carry a gun, I don’t do so because I am looking for a fight, but because I’m looking to be left alone. The gun at my side means that I cannot be forced, only persuaded. I don’t carry it because I’m afraid, but because it enables me to be unafraid. It doesn’t limit the actions of those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force. It removes force from the equation… and that’s why carrying a gun is a civilized act.”
Well written.
And yet the gun didn’t jump off her back and start killing people by it self ! Amazing! Must be a well behaved rifle.
I don’t think her statement of the Kent State shooting is near as effective as if she had stated she wanted to exercise her right to be able to defend herself. Other then that she has made a valid point, which will be glossed over and soon forgotten.
What sense does it make for her to be able to carry a weapon, on campus, after she has graduated. It is our right to be able to protect ourselves 24-7, 365 days a year. period.
Agreed. Her desire to lawfully carry a firearm and not be in violation of current school policy is sufficient to warrant her display. The sign and reference to an event from 48 years ago detract from the commentary and muddy the waters.
I commend the you lady on wanting to voice every American second amendment rights. Concealed carry should be allowed everywhere. Gun free zones are the only places mass shooters go to do damage. When I went to college conceal carry was allowed in Colorado. Responsible adults who are trained should not be limited by gun free zones. Gun free zones are a joke!
More power to her!! She obviously has enough common sense to realize that in the final analysis, each of us is responsible for our own safety. The police aren’t armed to protect us, they are armed to protect themselves. By the time the police arrive on the scene the damage is done and the thug, if not taken down by a lawful gun owner, is long gone. The criminals are not afraid of law enforcement, they certainly have no fear of nor respect for our judicial system, so they must be made to fear the victim… the only way to instill that fear is by allowing law-abiding citizens to bear arms as is our Constitutional right. I have yet to hear any gun-control liberal explain how they intend to take the guns away from the gangs. For me to give up my guns because the criminals have too many guns would be like my being castrated because my neighbor has too many children. I would be proud to call her “daughter”.
Exercise rights–all for it. Carry in a manner that you could be disarmed and shot with your own weapon in about 5 seconds–not so much a great idea IMO. Sorry–but that’s what you’re asking for with that sign. In this day and age–walking into a school yard with a loaded weapon is inviting a sniper reticle to be positioned between your eyes. Brave–but not the best idea IMO.
I think you may have missed the point..she was making a statement, not trying to comply with every shootist’s idea of of protocol for exercising one’s second amendment right. I will carry my gun how I choose…on top of my head if I want. Always a negative opinion…
No doubt you ardently feel the same way if your kids were there in class and a black guy wearing a hoodie or a dark skinned guy with a beard and scarf showed up with an Draganov locked and loaded, right? Stunt IMO–if I was there and had kids in school I would automatically go to a defensive posture and assume active threat. Unless, of course, the authorities were tipped off in advance and she was in effect under protective escort.
Get a sniper reticle between the eyes? Of course! The Government has shot people there before. Except they didn’t have the possibility of shooting back.
Another school shooting today–stuff like this is really winning us more points in the court of public opinion.
Didn’t you read the article? She was under police escort the entire time. How was someone going to take her rifle? Stop with the “in this day and age” Gun deaths and violence overall is down “in this day and age” from when I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s.
yes it had a magazine in it but we don’t know if it was loaded, i think not. plus like she said there was a cop there with her who was taking the pics.
I commend Ms Bennett for her stand. As a member of the “old guard” I tend to stay away from social media but maybe that is why the vocal minority has slowly eroded the rights of the silent majority. You go girl!
You go girl! A true American.
I have a 6 year old daughter by the same name (spelled Katelyn however). I would be very scared for her well being if this was her walking around with a rifle on her back despite the fact that I’m a proud owner of both AR-10’s and multiple AR-15’s. Just the dad in me not wanting anything bad coming back on my daughter is what I would be worried about. Seems like this was a calculated risk that this girl took and is educated enough to understand the backlash that would come with her decision and was willing to stand up for her rights regardless. Good for her! A few questions:
1. Can I send my 12 year old son to live with you to learn how to become a man?
2. Can my daughter have your autograph?
3. I love the fact that she is carrying a hi capacity mag and what looks to be a very heavy weapon while wearing heals!
Notice who is threatening this lady’s life: the “tolerant” anti-gun lefties who claim they fear for their lives! No gun owner is harassing her
I didn’t see a list of the individuals who made the alleged threats, the quoted threats, the political leaning, or status of gun ownership of the persons who made threats listed. Predictable, observable, repeatable, without evidence it’s conjecture on your part.
Did you even read the whole article?
Yes, I read the entire article. Please copy and paste from the article the written threats, the identity of the person who made them, a voter ID card, and a federal database reference as to how many firearms they own.
No lawful gun owner is going to threaten her life for promoting 2A rights…it was communists like you…”Z”….not conjecture…reality…..you could also be said to have no proof that it was not the tolerant left…your “conjecture” is much more likely to be false….we know who our enemies are….
Hello tommy,
I’d like to invite you to open a dictionary and find the words “conjecture” and “reality”. If you make a statement the burden is upon you to provide the proof. You can claim that the sky is orange and water is dry, it’s not my job to prove you wrong, it’s your job to provide evidence that your correct. If you can’t provide evidence, it’s not factual. I’ll save you both some trouble. Conjecture; a : inference formed without proof or sufficient evidence
b : a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork. Reality; a (1) : a real event, entity, or state of affairs. Dr. Motown can’t provide evidence for his claims any more than you can, i.e. it’s conjecture.
But is she single?
No she has a boyfriend. I commend her stand for Liberty.
WOW! A Ten with a Ten!
Glad to see some of our young people exercising there 2nd amendment right’s to keep and bare arms.
I agree finally seeing sensible kids standing up for there rights amen and amen
Excellent stand up for your rights girl. I wish more students would have your courage and common sense to stand up for what is right and to make a statement about good guys and girls with guns make a safe USA.
What a smart young lady. Doesn’t warm our hearts to see how illogical the logic of policy makers and critics of 2A can be exposed by a couple of simple statements….visually and by sheer simplicity of a common sense response she made to her violent critics…”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.”
Does she not know the people killed were against her right to carry?
No death were mentioned in that article. What exactly are you referring too?
Maybe you need to look again…One of her comment screen shots specifically mention the Kent State 4 that were killed…
I see, Nick and Ms. Bennet were referring to the May 4th 1970 shooting. She feels students should carry whatever weapons they want in light of four students being killed by the national guard and Nick is pointing out that the students were protesting the bombing of Cambodia and in his opinion the dead students would have been in favor banning open carry. Good catch, Sonny.
She refers to the 4 students shot by national guard troops during the Vietnam War protests in the 1960’s on Kent State campus…. lacking knowledge of the gun debate and history but quick to comment huh “Z”? Must be short for laZy….
OMG! If you don’t know about the Kent State Student massacre by our government, you are indicative of what is wrong with America…Tyranny is always possible..
The rioters are anti-American. They never ever protest socialist invasion, only the Americans repelling those invasions.
Well Z if you were to read the posts, that is assuming that you can read, it would become pretty clear that those threats were not in her best interest. But a lot of Veterans died for your right to be a twit and prove it by placing your post on this forum.
You’re either acknowledging that I can read or slobbering for attention. Given the placement of your comment I’m concerned about your reading comprehension and spatial reasoning skills. FYI, a soldier can die in the line of duty, a veteran is a former member of the armed forces. If they lived long enough to be a vet, they didn’t die defending the first amendment, Wiz.
Thank goodness at least 1 youngster understands. Beware of Politicians that would wish to curtail your Constitutional Rights.
You go!! Keep calm and carry on.
I Love Her
2008 SCOTUS decisions
The First Amendment: protects modern forms of communications.
The Second Amendment: extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding.”
The Fourth Amendment: applies to modern forms of search and seizure.
The Ninth Amendment says: The enumeration (Numbering) in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others (meaning rights) retained by the people.
The Tenth Amendment says: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.