North Carolina tattoo artist arrested for opening store

In another example of government overreach, a tattoo artist in Apex, North Carolina was arrested for opening his shop and charged criminally for violating Governor Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order. Matthew “Jax” Myers, owner of Apex Tattoo Factory, faces up to 60 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Myers announced his intended opening on social media, and police arrived on scene shortly after the shop opened at 1:00 p.m.

Even facing arrest, Myers stuck to his principles. “While understanding of and generally cooperative with officers, he refused to come into compliance with the Proclamation and was subsequently arrested without further incident,” a police statement read.

Like Michigan barber Karl Manke, Myers said that he had attempted to apply for unemployment benefits and for a small business loan, but was denied. He had no other way to pay his mortgage and was concerned that his business would die.

“I’m a law-abiding citizen,” said Myers in an interview with TV station WRAL. “I’ve done nothing wrong… If people are willing to take the risk, it’s their body and their choice.”

As Western Journal columnist Andrew Sciascia points out, this is exactly the argument that liberals make with regards to abortion. Why does it not apply with regards to getting a tattoo, or any other activity that affects one’s coronavirus risk?

The Mayor of Apex, Jacques Gilbert, seemed to express support for Myers to WRAL: “Whatever the consequences are to his decision, I’m gonna be there after it all and extend my hand to him and say, ‘I’m in this with you and I support you and we’re gonna get through this together.'”

Read the Facebook post by Apex Tattoo Factory below or at this link: