tattoo GUN? who cares, seriously people?

I find it very interesting the whole controversy(excuse the spelling) between the terms tattoo machine and tattoo gun. It seems that almost every person who's making their first crack at getting into the business(scratchers) stumbles across a site like this and asks the inevitable question that all the pro's hate. "How do i set up my gun?" And the term boils blood and sets fires in the eyes of some! just by saying "gun" instead of "machine". My question, does anyone know why all the beginners call it a "gun" and why all the pros hate the term? You would think that at this point in time everyone would have caught on to proper terminology, why not, and who really cares and why?? Most argue that "guns" kill people, machines do not. some say it gives the industry a bad name. The word "gun" dosent bother me all that much to be quite honest. Lets try some other "gun" words and see if we get the same effect!!....... how about "Glue Gun", whos offended by the term "glue gun"? anyone? i bet the guys at the glue factory are pretty pissed now!! lets try another shall we! how about.... "Nail Gun" anyone pissed yet? bet those carpenters are mighty offended by "nail gun"! lets try them in a scentence! "Hey Joe, wanna pass me the nail macine, it's over there by the glue machine" No offense intended, I'm just extremely curious why anyone would really care what you call it? whats the big deal, really??

Because if the person posting had an apprenticeship they would know better so it labels them as a scratcher looking for free info on how to scar their friends. I was taught that a gun is what you make out of pens and tape motors homemade and dirty and a machine is used by a professional even if a scratcher got hold of a professional machine they would give themselves away by asking "Hey man what do i need to do to my tattoo gun so my tattoos turn out like that" or " My gun is set up really light and i just go over the line and like build it up till its dark and solid" sounds pretty retarded to me Erik Bragging about your buddy who tattoos at home is like bragging about your cousin who sucks off retarded kids

Scratcher pick up a loaded GUN and shoot your brain off!!!!

i'm not gonna read the post, but i think it's silly to worry about calling a machine a gun. it think it shows you have mental deficits when something so trite bothers you.

It doesnt bother me but it reveals something about the person using the word Erik

I just would like to mention that something needs a trigger to be called a gun. So nail gun, and glue gun apply in that manner. However, the term does not bother me either way. I have met some pretty respectful people call a machine, a "gun", and I have met some stupid punks call it a machine. Honestly, I think the word "tat", or "tats" bothers me more for some reason. Tattoos, or art, or art work...

The other day I reeived an order through FKirons.com site. After emailing the customer about some reference of establishment, this person refer to the tattoo machine as a gun the whole time giving me more buts than expected. Enough evidence for me to issue the refund and end the story right there. It's not about how you call it, but I don't know any professional tattoo fellow that calls a "machine" a gun. "Machine" is how the industry refers towards the tattooing device. BTW: Scratchers stop trying, I'm 007 when it comes to evidence of establishment.

I don't get bent when people call it a gun but it just sounds ignorant to me. But of all things to be politically correct about...sheesh!

BECAUSE ITS NOT A GUN. Gun -noun 1. a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance. 2. any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver. 3. a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory. 4. any device for shooting something under pressure: a paint gun; a staple gun. 5. Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer: a gangland gun. 6. British. a member of a shooting party. none of these apply to a tattoo MACHINE. I don't like the word because it makes people sound dumb.

Simple! It is ignorant scratcher aka prison lingo.

i think if this bothers you, you're mentally ill. sure, it's a word used by scratchers, but i know 20 year pros who say it, too. it's just a word. get a life. in the army they go nuts when you call a gun, a gun! they call em weapons, or rifles. it's just stupid.

i think if it doesn't bother you it shows you don't give a shit about this industry

I dont get overly offended by the term "Gun" But I have myself never refered to a machine as a gun. And I hafta say that I do find myself cringing when I hear it. I guess you call it what you want but I think the term "gun' does sound like a prison term.

To the person that said they know 20 year pros that use the term "gun", I'D LIKE TO MAKE A FEW VERY CLEAR POINTS HERE... >Just because someone is a "professional" doesn't mean they're necessarily good, it just means that they depend on tattooing to make a living. >Having a license only means that you fit the local bureaucratic obligations of your area, and that you care enough to do so. >Someone may not necessarily be an artist, but can still be a tattooist, and can even be considered a professional. That does not mean that they should be, only that they are. >Sometimes loving art is not enough to make you an artist. Crazy Leroy that lives in the alley behind your apartment building may make beautiful murals out of feces, he may spend days or weeks perfecting his masterpieces, but in the end his art is still shit. >You don't call it a gun because that is not what the instrument is called. Would you call a bicycle a sandwich? >The term scratcher is a more polite way of calling someone a no-talent hack with no business opening peoples skin and should be arrested and fined if caught doing so.

I think its a really dumb topic. Call it whatever rocks your boat. Its bitching at ur friends because they call you Tony and not Anthony.

as a machine builder it take lots of money time thought to make a good machine that months of designing building testing to even get it down to pat but a gun is duct tape a motor out of a walkman tooth brush and other ? things thats my idea on gun/machine i have no guns only fine quality made in the usa with sweet blood and tears

first off "nail gun" and "glue gun" are by defineition a gun. they are trigger activated machines that releace something cause by action of trigger, a tattoo machine by design has no gun like properties. plus the term machine give a better understanding of what it is. not a dirty home made rig held to gether with tape.

jacqson, or whatever the fuck you call your ridiculous self, you have the iq of a retarded beachball. you ever call your penis a cock? if so, then you are a hypocrite unless you have a fucking rooster in your drawers. stupid bastard.

Ah Nostrilamus - For once I agree with you 100%- Your good friend richy rich ; )

simply enough ...professionalism .....if your professional enough to call it a machine then Ill hire you ...however if you say GUN to a likely cliant and sound like you just got out of the joint and make me look bad then your ass is shit canned....more to the point does your dentist pull your teeth with plyers or dose he use extractors...hhmmmmm?