Gun-rights group sues Kent State over fees

A pro-gun rights student group is suing Kent State University for charging it a fee to stage a protest on campus later this month.

Liberty Hangout filed the suit Wednesday in U.S. District Court alleging civil rights violations. The suit says the fee amounts to “an unconstitutional heckler’s veto, taxing protected speech and rewarding those who disrespect the solemn and precious freedoms safeguarded by the First and Fourteenth Amendments.”

Liberty Hangout submitted an application for an event titled “Let’s Talk Gun Rights” at the Kiva on Nov. 19. The university told the organization it would be charged about $1,800 for expenses, including set-up labor and security costs.

Attempts to contact representatives from the university and Liberty Hangout were unsuccessful Thursday morning.

The suit follows a September gun rights walk on campus that ended in a mostly peaceful but tense standoff between gun rights supporters and protesters.

It was led by Kent State alumna Kaitlin Bennett.

When Kent State told Bennett and organizers they would be charged $14,000 for security to keep the rally safe, they canceled the rally and decided to hold an opencarry walk across campus.

Kent State officials said the gun walk ended up costing the school about $65,000. The cost included personnel — overtime, additional Kent State officers and dispatchers — supplies, facility preparation, transportation, communications and meals.

Neither Bennett nor organizers was charged.