Tattoo gun is trouble for boy

Stan 'Borze' Davidson from Bundy Tattooz and Body Piercing abides by stringent health and safety measures.

Letea Cavander

BUNDABERG tattooists condemned the actions of a 16-year-old who bought a tattoo gun over the internet and used it on other children. Mundubbera police seized the tattoo gun on Monday after they were told the boy was tattooing other boys' and girls' backs, wrists, chests and breasts with stars, hearts and words.- "Police received information from a concerned parent that a juvenile was in possession of a tattoo gun and was tattooing other juveniles and adults in Mundubbera," Sergeant Tully Anderson said. "Investigations have revealed a possible list of six juveniles that have been tattooed." Sgt Anderson said the boy had purchased the gun over the internet for $212. Yesterday the News-Mail conducted a search on internet trading site eBay, which revealed about 130 tattoo equipment items for sale. The products were priced about $190 and one seller claimed that even hobbyists could use the tattoo guns. "Whether you want to be or are already a tattoo expert, this is indispensable for you," the seller's site said. Another seller was offering a free disc explaining how to tattoo if customers purchased one of their guns. Bundaberg tattooists Steve "Statue" Rogers and Stan "Borze" Davidson have been working in the industry for 23 years and 20 years respectively. They insisted only reputable businesses should be able to purchase tattooing instruments over the internet. The Bundy Tattooz and Body Piercing workers said all operators had to abide by stricter health and sterilisation guidelines than doctors' surgeries. Both tattooists also warned against the dangers of blood-borne diseases like Hepatitis C, which can be spread by using dirty needles in a tattoo gun or a dirty work surface. "We use a new needle with every client they are single-use needles kept in sterile packets and disposed of, once used, in a sharps container," Mr Davidson said. Mr Rogers said operators who thrust the needle too far into a person's skin could damage nerves or permanently scar them. "We have fixed countless backyard jobs," Mr Rogers said. Sgt Anderson said that harsh penalties applied to illegal tattooing activity. "A person must not perform tattooing on a minor and it's a maximum penalty of six months in prison and there's no leeway, even if parents have consented," the police officer said. "Peer pressure makes people think some ideas are good at the time but you will regret it later on." Mr Rogers said it was illegal for anyone under-18 to get a tattoo and professional tattooists should always do the job. "A cheap tattoo could cost you more (down the track)," he said. Mr Davidson also suggested his own fool-proof tip for people considering getting some body art. "Don't get what you can afford get what you want even if it means getting an outline of what you want," he said.