'GETTING A LOT OF HATE:' Arizona tattoo artist slammed for inking girl, 9
Article content
A tattoo artist in Arizona sparked outrage for inking an American flag on a nine-year-old who had initially asked for a portrait of Donald Trump.
Sosa, the co-owner of Black Onyx Tattoo in Yuma, Ariz., shared an Instagram post of the girl who showed up at the shop with her parents and sister last year, asking for a tattoo of the president-elect on her neck, KSAZ reported.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
'GETTING A LOT OF HATE:' Arizona tattoo artist slammed for inking girl, 9 Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
In Arizona, it is legal for minors to get tattoos with parental consent.
Sosa told the outlet that he convinced the girl to instead get a tattoo of the American flag but told her if she still wanted the Trump tatt, to return in a year.
The now-10-year-old did return — but opted only for a touch up on the Stars and Stripes over Trump ink.
Sosa said he initially tried to “scare” the girl’s family — who came from another state — by charging them hundreds more for the tattoo that would otherwise only cost $80, but that did not deter them.
The shop owner told AZFamily.com that he, his business and his employees have been “getting a lot of hate” and “bad reviews” from people online.
Sosa called the girl “an exception,” noting his usual cutoff age, with parental consent, is 15.
“It’s not like I tattoo 9-year-olds every day,” he said, adding that he’s not promoting kids to come and get tattoos.”
Sosa explained that after hearing the family’s story, that tattoos were a tradition for the Turkish family, and how important it was to them, he was convinced.
“They were just very grateful to be here in the United States. They were just being grateful,” he said.
“They said they saw Donald Trump as a hero.”
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Sosa acknowledged, however, that just because it is legal for minors to get inked doesn’t mean he thinks it’s right.
“There should be laws and regulations of limiting the ages in order to do these procedures,” he told KSAZ.
“I think there is a law that should be created. Like everybody’s opinion, a lot of people think it’s wrong. I agree.”
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.