My first question is: why?

And, after thinking about it for a while, I wondered aloud again, "Why?" It was kind of a cross between a Nancy Kerrigan, sobbing "why" and a banging-my-head-against-a-concrete-wall "why". 

I mean, let's think about this for a minute. Last I checked, tattoos are illegal for anyone under 18. And, yet the manufacturers of this "toy" are proud that small children can "get the look and feel of real tattoos" and that the gun "pulsates like a professional tattoo artist's". That is just wrong on so many levels, I don't even know where to start.

1. Tattoos are meant for adults and should not be marketed to children. Isn't this obvious to anyone with at least two brain cells to rub together? 

2. Tattoos hurt. A pen that vibrates from the juice of 2 AA batteries is no comparison to the real thing. Not even close. 

3. Tattoos do not wash off. Yes, that's right little Suzie. Real tattoos do not wash off in a bubble bath. You have them for life. If you get a tramp stamp or gang tattoo late one night after a little too much alcohol, its yours forever. Not so fun now, eh?

Here's a question. I wonder if the manufacturers of this fabulous "toy" were picturing you pairing your gift with maybe some candy cigarettes to complete the overall feel of a real tattoo parlor. Or, maybe, they thought you'd just run down to the party store on Christmas Eve and grab a six-pack and a couple of lottery tickets for Junior to round out your gift-giving spree. Nice. Real nice.

Oh, and to be fair, they DO suggest that this "toy" is for children ages 6 and up. Isn't that considerate and socially conscious of them?!