Graduate’s photo carrying rifle goes viral

A college graduate’s photo went viral over the weekend.

Kaitlin Bennett graduated from Kent State University and posted a photo carrying a rifle with the words “come and take it” on her graduation cap. She posted the image on twitter with a caption that included, “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…”

Bennett is a founder of a gun advocacy organization on campus called Liberty Hangout, which promotes peace and property rights.

Bennett says she was inspired to use her voice following the Parkland shooting. While many spoke out on gun control, she said, “What is going on, where is the other side.” That’s when she decided to take a stand.

She waited until graduation was over to post the photo because of school regulations that has a policy barring students and staff from carrying guns on campus.

Bennett said that some of the feedback she’s gotten has been “pretty harsh.” Bennett said, “I’ve received death threats, people have told me to kill myself, and there have been racially charged comments…I don’t get it. They say they’re against violence, but then they say they want to kill me.” The threats have been traumatic for Bennett. However, the graduate says not all messages have been negative. She received dozens of positive messages that show support. She plans on exercising her Second Amendment right and stand her ground.