Full Name | Kaitlin Marie Bennett |
Nickname | "Kent State Gun Girl" |
Birthday | October 15, 1995 |
Age | 27 Years Old |
Birth Place | Zanesville, Ohio, United States |
Residence | Southeastern Ohio |
Alma Mater | Kent State University |
Occupation | Media Personality, Political Activist |
Political Views | Conservative Libertarian |
Spouse | Justin Moldow (m. 2021) |
Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
Kaitlin Bennett is a prominent young conservative media activist who gained fame after posing with a rifle at her university graduation. Since 2018, the self-proclaimed "Kent State Gun Girl" has courted controversy with her sensational pro-gun stunts and ultra-conservative viewpoints.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1995 in Zanesville, Ohio, Kaitlin Marie Bennett was raised in the small town of Duncan Falls. She graduated from Tri-Valley High School in Dresden in 2014. Bennett went on to study biology at Kent State University and served as president of the campus Turning Point USA chapter, a conservative youth organization. While a student, she began writing for the right-wing website Liberty Hangout.
The Infamous Graduation Photo Shoot
On May 13, 2018, just over two weeks after Kent State students held a die-in to commemorate the 1970 shooting of unarmed student protestors on campus, Bennett posed for pictures wearing a "Come and Take It" cap and carrying an AR-10 rifle. She shared the images on social media with the caption "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."
The provocative photos immediately sparked outrage. While Bennett claimed she was simply advocating for gun rights, many saw the images as deliberately confrontational and called them "irresponsible," "insensitive," and "abhorrent." The university said Bennett was within her rights but criticized her actions.
Outspoken Conservative Ideology
Bennett proudly identifies as a "constitutional conservative libertarian." She vehemently supports gun rights and open carry laws, wanting to allow firearms on college campuses. Bennett is also ardently pro-life, opposing all abortion even in cases of rape or incest. She has demeaned the #MeToo movement as a "fake feminist scam." On immigration, Bennett takes a hardline stance, supporting deportation of all illegal immigrants. She is an avid defender of President Donald Trump.
Attention-Grabbing Media Stunts and Statements
Since graduating in 2018, Bennett has made a name for herself by creating viral content intended to provoke outrage:
- Dressing up as a border wall for Halloween 2021
- Wearing a diaper in public to "own the libs"
- Heckling Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg
- Holding a pro-gun rally at Kent State on May 4
- Bringing signs like "Women Deserve Equal Rights And Lefts" to Women‘s Marches
Bennett has accused Parkland students of being "trained actors." She claimed lesbians simply "haven‘t found the right man." Her provocative behavior has led many to denounce her views as racist, white nationalist, and dangerous.
Backlash and Deplatforming
Unsurprisingly, Bennett‘s stunts have resulted in major backlash:
- Kent State alumni and students have condemned her armed graduation pictures and ramped up security during May 4 events.
- She was widely mocked after soiling herself at a frat party shortly after claiming she needed a gun for protection.
- Social media platforms have banned her repeatedly for violating hate speech policies and glorifying violence.
In 2020, TikTok permanently deactivated her account, which then had over 500,000 followers. Despite the frequent platform bans, Bennett continues using social media to court controversy.
Personal Life and Plans for the Future
Bennett currently resides in southeastern Ohio with her husband, Justin Moldow, who she married in 2021 after meeting through Liberty Hangout. Away from the media spotlight, she enjoys outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.
Now one of the most prominent young conservative media voices, Bennett aspires to have her own Fox News television show. She aims to be an influencer in promoting far-right traditional values. Given her talent for stirring outrage, this ambitious firebrand seems sure to draw attention for years to come. I can‘t wait to see what she does next!