Education

Photo of Kent State Graduate Carrying Gun AR-10 on Campus Goes Viral

Kaitlin Bell refuses to apologize for her graduation photos that feature a firearm.

A tweet from a Kent State graduate has gained quite a bit of attention recently, with about 2,000 retweets.

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

“Come and take it,” the decorated graduation cap reads. Kaitlin Bell, stands facing away from the camera with a gun slung over her shoulder in a white dress that matches the lettering on her graduation cap. This is her response to the policy that Kent State has, not allowing students to carry any deadly weapons.

Eric Mansfield, executive director of University Media Relations at Kent State, released a statement to WJW:

“Kent State University was recently ranked the safest big college campus in Ohio and 25th safest in the country, according to the National Council for Home Safety and Security. The university has a full-time, certified police force of more than 30 sworn officers who protect the campus. These officers are visible, well-trained and on duty 24/7 in support of students, staff and faculty.”

Although the photo has received ample amounts of criticism, Bell isn’t going to apologize for her graduation pictures.

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

Kaitlyn Bell isn’t the only college graduate to post graduation pictures showing off the right to bear a gun. Another student Brenna Spencer, from Chattanooga Tennessee, gained an even larger mass of attention for sporting a Women For Trump shirt and having a firearm tucked away in her pants.