Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Use of piercing <br />guns is unsafe

Use of piercing
guns is unsafe

Dec 06, 2006 - 04:06:38 CST

By KAITLYN SHOCKMAN
Bismarck

“Don’t receive a piercing from a piercing gun.” This statement was issued recently by the Mayo Clinic. However, despite the overwhelming evidence against the use of piercing guns, North Dakota has yet to pass true legislation banning or even regulating their use.

Although federal law states that they’re to be used solely for ear lobe piercings, many salons and shops continue to pierce cartilage, eyebrows, navels, and even nostrils with guns, free of penalties.

There are multiple reasons for the regulation or banning of piercing guns. Piercing guns can put clients in direct contact with the body fluids of previous clients.

Plastic piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and often are not cleaned between clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the surfaces with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. Blood from one client can become airborne in microscopic particles and contaminate the inside of the gun. There is thus a possibility of transmitting blood-borne disease-causing microorganisms through such ear piercing, as many medical studies report. For example, the hepatitis virus may live up to seven days in open air.

Piercing guns are also known to cause significant tissue damage. Medically, this type of piercing would be referred to as “blunt force trauma.” One of the main disadvantages to using such a blunt object is that often the pressure from the gun is not enough to fully pierce.

Therefore, the gun operator is forced to push the stud through manually, causing greater trauma to the piercing site. Piercing guns can also cause severe scarring to occur. Apart from the use of piercing guns, most studs are not made of materials certified by the FDA as safe.

While I firmly believe that everyone can choose whether or not they want to be pierced, everyone should have the right to a safe and sterile piercing experience. Despite the efforts of some local piercing studios, very little is being done to restrict their use. It is my sincere hope that here in North Dakota we make an attempt at being progressive and make it known that our community’s safety is a priority.

News > Opinion

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guns is unsafe

Comments

whip wrote on Dec 6, 2006 6:22 PM:

" I think it was from the gospel of Michael (Jay)... And yea, though thou'st dost wear the jewelry thou shalt be welcome unto the kingdom of the fast food chain, and thou will become as one with the McDonald "

Dan wrote on Dec 6, 2006 3:48 PM:

" Which Psalm says, "Oh glory to you who has hardware upon your countenance, exalted be the one whose face looks like a pincushion"?? "

Deb wrote on Dec 6, 2006 2:47 PM:

" It was a safety pin and India ink, Punker. "

Punker wrote on Dec 6, 2006 2:33 PM:

" Do not get frathouse tatoos with razor blades and india ink at 1 in the morning - Leviticus 13.14 (may not be a direct bible quote either) "

DoNotDoIt wrote on Dec 6, 2006 2:03 PM:

" Just don't do it. They are not attractive, they make you look like a pin cushion and the bible says, Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19.28. That may not be a direct biblical reference against body piercing, but that says to me anyway to keep away from that kind of body destruction. "

University Student wrote on Dec 6, 2006 12:25 PM:

" Thank you for your information and concern. I agree with 'Catalyst', though. Information is important, but what you do with that information is even more important. I would encourage you to contact legislators if this is such an important topic for you. "

Deb wrote on Dec 6, 2006 11:48 AM:

" Always, always, ALWAYS get pierced with autoclaved needles that you watch your piercer take out of the sterilized wrappers. "

Eb wrote on Dec 6, 2006 11:34 AM:

" This may be true...but usually the blood alcohol content in the "peirce-ees" is more than enough to kill any pathogens. "

Dan wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:26 AM:

" Note to self: Stick with tattoos instead of piercings... "

Beesh wrote on Dec 6, 2006 8:01 AM:

" Man, I didn't know that the guns aren't completely sterilzed between uses. What type of piercing methods are safer? Thanks for the heads up Kaitlyn! "

Catalyst wrote on Dec 6, 2006 7:38 AM:

" Kaitlyn, have you been in contact with your legislators to effect such a change as you are asking? "

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