Ruling Ends Tattoo Parlor Ban In Hermosa Beach

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Ruling Ends Tattoo Parlor Ban In Hermosa Beach
September 10, 2010
NPR

Johnny Anderson was denied a business license to open a tattoo parlor in Hermosa Beach, California. The city banned the parlors because of health and safety concerns. An appeals court ruled that's an unreasonable over-reaction. There can be health regulations but not a ban.

Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep with another extension of constitutional rights - to tattoos. Johnny Anderson was denied a business license to open a tattoo parlor in Hermosa Beach, California. The city banned those businesses because of health and safety concerns. Now, a federal appeals court says that is an unreasonable overreaction. There can be health regulations but not a ban. A tattoo is protected free speech under the First Amendment, no matter where you put it.