Woman get tattoo from homemade gun, get sick

Friday night, a man knocked on doors holding a tattoo gun and offering his services. Tamra Eason described the tool as homemade, but still agreed to pay for a tattoo. So did two other women in her apartment complex.

"It was wrapped with black tape, had a pin underneath it, had fishing wire going through it, you could tell it was a homemade gun," Eason said. The next day, Linda Falls passed out and had to be hospitalized.

"I passed out in the store and they said I should have it checked out," Falls said. All the women have an infection in the tattoo area and have been told to get tested for HIV and hepatitis.

"Getting a tattoo is like a wound. There's a risk of disease that may be long term or life threatening. It's a serious decision," said Jaci McReynalds, with the Greene County Health Department.

It is illegal in Missouri to give a tattoo without a license, so if several people file complaints with the state, the county prosecutor will pursue the case. "Beware of deals in parachutes, brain surgery and tattoos," said Miller Cotton, a tattoo parlor owner.

Wow, being as Springfield is my hometown- I had to bury my head in my hands after reading this article. But my favorite part of this whole ‘Mickey-Mouse’ show of a story… the quote by the tattoo parlor owner, “Beware of deals in parachutes, brain surgery and tattoos. Wise words my friend, wise words. Article here.