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Hello, Everyone--
Well, it's official--Oklahoma now has the embarrassing distinction of being the ONLY state in the Union where Artistic Tattooing is illegal. This distinction will continue to put the health of Oklahomans at risk since unregulated tattooing without regard for hygienic practices will continue in our state. We'll also continue to send millions of dollars in revenue out of the state as Oklahomans acquire quality tattoo artwork in shops located in our neighbor states, revenue that could and should stay here. Everyone knows we have dozens of talented, quality dermagraphic artists in Oklahoma ready to set up shop when the Legislature comes to its senses and makes Artistic Tattooing legal. Folks--there's something wrong here when our state follows a path that's different from that of the entire Nation. If that path is going to cause Oklahoma Citizens to become infected, sicken and die from diseases such as Hepatitis C, then we need to lobby our Legislators to pass a Tattooing Legalization and Regulation Bill, as was advanced by State Sen. Frank Shurden and defeated this year. That, or the artists and enthusiasts that stand to make money from a thriving tattooing industry in Oklahoma need to fund a lawsuit to overturn our tattoo ban in court as an unconstitutional violation of Freedom of Artistic Expression! For now, as I've said before, continue to exercise common sense and good consumer instincts when considering getting a tattoo, and patronize artists that follow high standards of hygiene and cleanliness to safeguard your health. Thanks for listening, have a good weekend, Ride Free and Safely, and I'll see you on the road.
Yours in Freedom,
Tiger Mike Revere
ABATE of Oklahoma
Tattoo ban lifted, but rules need drafting
Associated Press
COLUMBIA--Tattoo artists are ready to make their mark in South Carolina now that Gov. Mark Sanford has signed a bill to make the industry legal.
It could take several months, however, before tattoos can be offered to the public because the state must approve health regulations.
The governor said he supported lifting the ban on tattoos as long as it protected public health.
"I wanted to go over this bill in detail to make sure those precautions were definitely in place, and I'm confident they are," Sanford said in a statement Thursday.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control must draft regulations, get approval from its governing board, hold public hearings and send the new rules to the Legislature, which returns in January.
The law requires tattoo artists to use disposable needles and get a parent's permission for anyone 18 to 21. Minors cannot get a tattoo in South Carolina. The law bans tattooing the face, neck and head.
Tattoo artists also will have to follow local zoning laws, such as opening businesses away from churches and schools.
Oklahoma is the only state in the nation that still bans tattooing.
SC ABATE Note: The hundreds of ABATE members who visited and lobbied the statehouse deserve a lot of credit for passing this new law. Next session our legislative warriors can work to amend this law to make it better.
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