Kent State University orders grad Kaitlin Bennett to cancel open-carry rally

Sallee Ann Harrison | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Kent State grad goes viral for toting gun at graduation Kent State University graduate, Kaitlin Bennett, 22, caused a stir on social media with her photo, in which she is seen walking on campus, while carrying an AR-10 long rifle on her back.

Kaitlin Bennett might be (in)famous online for being the "Kent State Gun Girl," but a demonstration she's planned is not welcome at her alma mater.

Bennett, the woman who took college graduation photos on Kent State's campus with an AR-10 strapped to her back, had planned an open carry rally for Sept. 29.

Kent State released a statement Wednesday stating Bennett's rally at the campus is not welcome.

The event was not registered, approved or sponsored, per university policy.

"Kent State University has notified a recent graduate that she must cease and desist from advertising a planned rally on campus because she has not registered the event and obtained the approvals required by university policy," the statement reads.

More: Kent State graduate celebrates by strolling campus with her AR-10

More: Kaitlin Bennett wants to arm wrestle David Hogg for 2nd Amendment

A planned counter-protest was given the same message.

Bennett stood her ground on Twitter, saying the university has "no right to keep gun owners from legally gathering on campus."

.@KentState is sending out notices saying they canceled my open carry demonstration, but have no right to keep gun owners from legally gathering on campus. We will be there. September 29th. You can't scare us, and you can't stop us from legally expressing our 2nd amendment rights — Kaitlin Bennett (@KaitMarieox) August 29, 2018

"Kent State is sending out notices saying they canceled my open carry demonstration, but have no right to keep gun owners from legally gathering on campus," she wrote. "We will be there. September 29th."

She continued: "You can't scare us, and you can't stop us from legally expressing our 2nd amendment rights."

Students, faculty and staff are prohibited from possessing, storing or using a "deadly weapon," including firearms, on campus, according to university policy.

However, visitors can openly carry a firearm because the campus is considered public state policy.