Photos of a young woman goes viral when she carrying an automatic rifle while attending graduation sparked debate among social media users. The woman, Kaitlin Bennett graduated from the Faculty of Biology, University of Kent, Ohio. A day later, the woman's 22-year return to campus while carrying semi-automatic rifle AR-10.
While carrying the gun, Kaitlin posed in front of campus gate while holding a graduation hat inscribed with the words "come and take it". Kaitlin, uploaded the photo to Twitter, said the pose while carrying a rifle was part of her protest against campus policy.
Campus managers prohibit university students, lecturers, and staff from bringing deadly weapons into the campus environment. Ironically, the ban does not apply to "outsiders" who are still allowed to carry a weapon in the campus environment even though weapons must be abandoned upon entering the building.
Kaitlin asserted that the University of Kent was once the location where "four students were killed by the government", in connection with clashes between soldiers and students protesting Vietnam War in 1970. When the incident happened, the army opened fire on 13 students and pedestrians who happened to pass by.
Kaitlin explains the action through a number of interviews and social media. In a post on Facebook, Kaitlin said she was promoting "the right to protect ourselves". Kaitlin said she chose AR-10, a stronger version of AR-15 that became controversial because it was used in mass shootings at Parkland and Newton High School.
In addition, Kaitlin continued, the weapon is very matched with the white dress and high heels she wore. "As a woman, I refuse to be a victim and the second amendment ensures that I have the right not to be a victim," Kaitlin said via Twitter. Some opinions say while the Second Amendment protects the right to own weapons but the right can still be regulated according to the law.
According to Bennett, the residents also should be allowed to have an automatic assault rifle. A netizen said, Kaitlin as a white woman has "luxury" because it can carry weapons in public spaces. Meanwhile, ethnic minority residents who have been the target of discrimination and suspicion, very risky if caught carrying firearms.
Kaitlin said the statement was an insult to ethnic minorities. "I was accompanied by a black security when I came with a gun," Kaitlin said. "And, in April during a rally supporting the right to carry weapons, a number of black students carrying AR-15 rifles and no incidents of any kind," Kaitlin said.
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