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Student’s ‘Controversial’ Pro Gun Graduation Photo Goes Viral And The Internet’s Divided Over It

By Aiman Shahab
April 14, 2018
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The internet is one large conspiracy corpus. Everything over the internet tends to follow the dynamics of a snowball effect. And once you’ve become a part of the whole conspiracy theory mumbo jumbo, escaping it becomes close to impossible.

The probability of jumping from one topic to another increases two folds. Nonetheless, all of this provocation of thoughts inevitably flames an endless argument.

So was the case in this student’s pro-gun graduation photo. A senior at the University of Tennessee made waves over the internet after she uploaded her graduation photo. The 22-year-old student, Benna Spencer’s photo was labeled as ‘controversial’ by twitter-azis.

In the photo she opted to pose in front of the Hunter Museum of Art donning a “Women for Trump” shirt, flaunting a handgun in her pants.

I don’t take normal college graduation photos… pic.twitter.com/eI1NvLFYHs

— Brenna Spencer (@BrennaSpencer) April 7, 2018

Unsurprisingly, the photo drew a roar of criticism.

I’m 100% pro-gun but brandishing a firearm for a photo shoot or showing it off to try and look cool is just stupid. They are tools. Why brag about carrying a gun?

— Reed (@osellr) April 8, 2018

Because I’m proud of my second amendment right and I want to empower other women! Absolutely they are tools but I will always brag about being able to carry a gun to protect myself, my friends and my family!

— Brenna Spencer (@BrennaSpencer) April 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/DadForChange/status/984102940477603840

Intentionally pointing out at the innate privilege.

Young white women are privileged enough that they can brag about carrying a gun on social media and are lauded as patriots. Whereas, the police regularly shoots black people for carrying objects that could be constructed as a gun.

I don't know anything about Brenna Spencer and don't care if she wears a "Women for Trump" t-shirt while strapped with a gun. What bothers me is the reflexive racism that allows people to see Spencer as a "patriot" but to see an armed black woman or man as a criminal threat. https://t.co/cgw25KhgIO

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 11, 2018

When I speak of gun sense, it's not to get rid of guns. It's to find a way to stop people from being reckless with guns. Like doing something that's illegal (aka what's happening in this picture) would lead to charges that would curb/stop this behavior. https://t.co/YVhevtjFYB

— Jordan Scruggs (@JScruggs0601) April 10, 2018

Despite that, several people admired her picture.

This is what REAL feminism looks like. Strong, smart, confident, and armed

Well done Brenna. You are what @TPUSA is all about

Keep fighting https://t.co/1gQIdEsW4C

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 9, 2018

Tennessee college senior Brenna Spencer defends posing for graduation picture with gun in her waistband: “I think it’s really important to empower people to show that you should be allowed to protect yourself. Your rights don’t stop at a college campus.” @foxandfriends pic.twitter.com/kDU5fb4VDX

— Ainsley Earhardt (@ainsleyearhardt) April 11, 2018

Great picture. I have high hopes for #women like you, who are empowered to #DefendTheSecond and themselves. It is a #Blessing to live in the #USA where the #1-2A are protection from #bullies #criminals #tirany #MAGA #KAG #1A #2A #GodBlessYou #GODBLESSTHEUSA https://t.co/0NcANjsAeI

— Martha Mulko (@mulko_martha) April 11, 2018