Controversy Surrounds Arizona Tattoo Artist After Inking Minor
A tattoo artist in Arizona has ignited a significant discussion online following the revelation of his recent project involving a 9-year-old girl.
Online Reaction
The debate unfolded when the artist, known as Sosa and co-owner of Black Onyx Empire Tattoo, shared details about this experience on his Instagram account on January 7. In his post, he recounted the moment when he inked an American flag on the young girl’s arm last year. Initially, her interest leaned toward a tattoo of former President Donald Trump on her neck.
He expressed in his caption, “I advised her to wait a year and seriously consider if she still desired the Trump tattoo.” Furthermore, Sosa mentioned that he attempted to deter her by offering a higher price for that specific design to ensure it was not imposed upon her.
Legal Guidelines and Parental Consent
According to Arizona law, minors are permitted to receive tattoos with parental or guardian supervision present. Sosa emphasized that he wanted this experience for the child not to feel coerced but rather something she truly cherished.
The young girl returned recently at age 10 but opted against getting the Trump tattoo—requesting instead an enhancement of her existing design. He included images from this follow-up session within his post.
Backlash and Business Impact
However, public reaction hasn’t been forgiving; many took issue with Sosa’s actions leading him to restrict comments on his Instagram update due to overwhelming criticism.
“I have been inundated with negative feedback,” Sosa explained in conversation with AZFamily. ”My team is facing backlash too, resulting in numerous poor reviews online.”
Additionally, there was notable discontent displayed on their Facebook page regarding their business practices.
Standing Firm Amidst Criticism
Despite the outcry, Sosa remains resolute about his choice. He explained that both the child and her family hail from Turkey and highlighted their appreciation for being present in America after expressing how they regarded Donald Trump as an admirable figure during discussions.
Sosa pointed out that while he typically sets no lower age limit than 15 years old for tattoos—with proper parental consent—he felt honored to make an exception for this particular case under respectful circumstances.
He clarified further: “I do not endorse tattoos among children or aim to attract them as clients.” Also addressing future regulations regarding such matters, he stated belief in establishing guidelines concerning appropriate ages for these procedures moving forward.
