PA Bill Number: HB829
Title: In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions;
Description: An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions;
Last Action: Signed in House
Last Action Date: Jul 3, 2024
Kent State 'gun girl' rally changed to walk after university charges security costs, bans guns at rally :: 09/19/2018
KENT, Ohio -- "Kent State gun girl" Kaitlin Bennett has switched her controversial open carry rally to a walk after the university banned guns at the event and charged thousands of dollars in security costs.
Katlin Bennett, now known as the "Kent State gun girl," posed with an AR-10 in her graduation pictures. (Kaitlin Bennett, Twitter)
The event is now being marketed as Bennett and potentially hundreds of visitors openly carrying guns around campus and talking to students about gun rights and campus carry.
Kent State sent a cease-and-desist letter in August to Bennett, telling her to stop advertising the initial rally. The university said the rally needed sponsorship from a student group who would work with the university.
Student group Liberty Hangout and president Michael Heil worked with the university to try and make it happen, rapidly filing paperwork and meeting with officials.
But last week, Kent State officials told Liberty Hangout that the group would be responsible for security fees, and since it's a student-sponsored event, it must comply with university rules.
That means no guns.
"The way the university is acting is really unfortunate for all students; they're imposing restrictions and security costs to prohibit speech," Bennett said in an interview with cleveland.com Tuesday.
Kent State students, faculty and staff cannot carry, possess or store guns on campus, per university policy. Visitors can carry openly outdoors on campus, but may not carry concealed weapons.
Bennett, who graduated from Kent State in the spring, garnered notoriety by open-carrying in her graduation photos, when she slung an AR-10 across her back.
Heil said the university tried to charge Liberty Hangout about $14,000 for security fees. He feels the university is overcharging the group.
Cleveland.com requested a copy of the communication sent to Liberty Hangout about the rally. This post will be updated with information from that document when it's received.
"I think it was poorly handled and I think the school is showing their bias," Heil said.
The Sept. 29 rally will now be an open-carry walk, where visitors will walk with their guns on full display. There was a walk at Ohio State University last week, and Bennett said it promoted thoughtful dialogue between activists and students.
"We've decided to take the high road," she said.
Organizers will cancel the speakers, which were going to include representatives from Infowars and Patriot's Prayer. Bennett still expects about 300 people to show take part.
https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/09/kent_state_gun_girl_rally_chan.html
