Teen Pulse

One of the biggest issues facing my future is the cry for gun control. The liberties that my grandfather fought for in World War II are disappearing right in front of my eyes. 

Just because a few mentally ill people decided to murder innocent people doesn’t mean my inalienable right to protect myself should be taken away. The only person qualified to protect me, is me.  

On Oct. 16, 1991, 23 people were killed at a Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas. 

They were victims of a man who crashed his truck through the front window of the restaurant and then walked around executing people. Suzanna Hupp, who lost both of her parents in the shooting, had reached into her purse for the handgun she owned, only to realize that it was still in her car. 

If Texas law had not required firearms to be kept out of restaurants, both of Suzanna’s parents might still be alive today, she said. Hupp testified before Congress in opposition to stricter gun control laws. Later on, she became a U.S. Congresswoman. 

If I were caught in a similar situation, could I take on the shooter with my bare hands? Not likely. The only way to counter someone with a gun effectively is with a weapon of equal or greater strength. 

Valentine’s Day may just have passed, but that doesn’t mean date nights have to come to a halt because the most romantic day of the year is over.
Dates can be a relaxing and entertaining way to spend some time with your significant other. But there’s a catch: a date requires a perfect outfit, which is not always easy to muster up.
The first and largest determining factor of an outfit is the location of your rendezvous. If you’re planning on anything that involves walking, comfortable shoes — not tennis shoes — like flats or boots are a safe option.
If you go out to dinner, opt for some heels that match your outfit. Even if you don’t usually wear pumps or wedges, date nights are an opportunity to dress up.
For dinner dates, dresses and skirts are chic options. Go for something colorful or flowy, and remember that tight dresses are not always flattering.
If you’re shrink-wrapped into a dress, you won’t be comfortable or look comfortable, for that matter. Tight dresses are great for empty stomachs, but not quite as enjoyable after a three-course meal.
A V-neck dress that flows out from the waist and ends just above the knee is a safe bet for almost any figure, as is a skirt of the same length.

Public displays of affection, or PDA, are defined as acts of physical intimacy in the presence of others.
In American culture, there is broad consensus of what is socially acceptable in terms of PDA.
When shown in the media, displays of affection such as holding hands, kissing or hugging are seen as acceptable. When it comes to young adult couples (ages 15-23), displays that are often acceptable in the media are frowned upon.
Los Alamos High School students are used to PDA, since common sights on campus include couples holding hands during the passing period or kissing quickly before class.
“It can be cute but it gets annoying when couples get overly passionate about their PDA,” said Kiersten Temple, a Los Alamos High School junior.
Other students shared the same viewpoint as Temple, adding that over-PG-rated PDA was too much to be shown in public.
In certain public places, such as a library, there have been rules put into place that do not permit any PDA.
At first glance, these rules seem to be unreasonable, but the reality of the situation is that if these rules were not put in place, some couples would go overboard — possibly engaging in acts that are not suitable for public viewing.