Chuntera Napier was “shocked” that even with her consent, it was still illegal for her son Gaquan to get a tattoo of his brother Malik, who died after being hit by a car, according to an ABC NEWS article.

Local tattoo artists disagree with this Georgia mother’s choice, but some NIU students think it is really a personal choice.

Barbie Duncan, tattoo artist at Proton Tattoo Studio, 120 S. Fourth St., said she saw the Napier family’s story on the news and did not agree with Gaquan’s choice to get a tattoo.

“I think it’s a horrible idea,” Duncan said. “When you’re 10 years old, your body hasn’t stopped growing. By the time he’s 18 or 20, it will look different.”

Duncan said Proton Tattoo Studio does not allow minors in their shop for any reason.

“Sometimes a mom will bring a kid with her,” Duncan said. “Usually, we tell her to leave.”

Kenny Weinstock, owner of Out on a Whim, 127 E. Lincoln Highway, said he has also had minors attempt to get tattoos at his shop before.

“We have a process with a consent form,” Weinstock said. “We let them know they were underage.”

Out on a Whim allows anyone to enter into the body art area, but with some rules.

“Anyone can enter [the shop], but for a minor to get into the body art area, you must be 18 or with written parental consent and a parent with them,” Weinstock said. “They are not allowed [in] under 18.”

Weinstock said he had not directly heard about Gaquan’s tattoo but he still does not think it is a good idea for someone that young to get a tattoo.

“In my opinion, it would be child abuse,” Weinstock said. “It would be neglect on the parent’s part.”

Robyn Ziegler, press secretary at Illinois Attorney General’s Office, said the current law states that any person who tattoos or offers a tattoo to a person under the age of 18 is guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor.

Elizabeth Howard, sophomore English and French literature major, said tattoos are really a personal choice.

“I don’t think anyone should step in and stop them,” Howard said. “But it does stay with you forever.”